����ý

The parish of St Helier is using a refuse truck painted bright pink to raise awareness of breast cancer and the need for cervical smears.

Constable Simon Crowcroft said it would act as a slow moving, visual reminder.

The vehicle will be on the roads five days per week collecting cardboard and commercial waste.

Director of Municipal Services Debra D'Orleans said the idea came at a trade show when a supplier said they could have trucks in any colour.

She said: "They told me we could have a truck in any colour, and I jokingly asked if they could supply us with a pink one.

"We are very pleased to be able to help with this important work reminding women about regular health checks. The sides of the truck are ideal for carrying messages, and we think it will be a real talking point."

Mirium Prior, clinical and service effectiveness manager at Public Health, said: "We are pleased that 12,000 women in Jersey came forward last year for breast screening or cervical screening and some women had both.

"But we are concerned for the 1,500 women of eligible age for screening who haven't attended yet, since breast cancer and cervical cancer are highly treatable if an abnormality is found early - for example through a screening test."

There is no central address database in Jersey for the health department to use to call about screenings and smears so Mrs Prior said they were reliant on women booking themselves in.