Health chiefs in Bradford are pleased with the results of a pilot scheme to increase access to the MMR vaccine.

And they say they are now working on ways to increase vaccination rates further.

The MMR jab has been linked by some scientists to bowel disease and autism, though the Government has always backed the combined vaccine.

The uptake rate in Bradford for the controversial jab is about 85 per cent, about the same as the national rate.

But health chiefs say the rate needs to be 95 per cent for children to have "herd immunity" - a good level of protection because most youngsters around them have been vaccinated.

New research has warned measles could become endemic in the UK, with outbreaks involving thousands of youngsters.

Researchers at the Health Protection Agency and Royal Holloway College in London showed outbreaks of the disease - which can kill or cause permanent disabilities - have been increasing.

However, in the Bradford district there have been no recent confirmed cases of measles.

Dr Ruth Gelletlie, the city's consultant in communicable disease control, said: "Uptake of MMR is holding steady with 17 out of 20 parents choosing to have their babies vaccinated.

"Overall we are doing well with uptake of the MMR jab but we are never complacent.

"Family doctors and health visitors are working closely with parents in those areas where uptake is below average to try to further improve levels."

Dr Gelletlie said they were pleased with the response to the Saturday morning clinics, which were designed to be more convenient for parents.

"A pilot scheme which provided general vaccination clinics on Saturdays proved very popular."

She said the pilot scheme had ended but they were working with primary care trusts, which run GPs surgeries and healthcare outside hospitals, to see how the lessons learned could be continued elsewhere.

When the pilot scheme started, Bradford's acting consultant in communicable disease, Dr Dee Kyle, said: "We unequivocally advise parents to have their children vaccinated with MMR against measles, mumps and rubella and the vaccine is safe."

"Vaccination rates need to be about 95 per cent to make sure all children are protected."