KEIGHLEY-district headteachers are being urged to help ensure their pupils are protected from deadly meningitis.

The plea has been issued as over one million year-nine and ten school children are offered the meningococcal ACWY vaccine.

The vaccination was introduced in August last year to combat a rise in cases of Men W. Teenagers and young adolescents are particularly susceptible to the disease.

Sue Davie, of Meningitis Now, said: "Teenagers are more likely to carry the bacteria that can cause meningitis so it's vital they are not complacent about the threat of this deadly disease.

"Every school has a named nurse and it is important that headteachers work alongside their local nursing teams to get this age group vaccinated.

"Parents will be sent a consent letter before the vaccination is given and we urge them to take it up."

Visit meningitis.now.org or call freephone 0808 80 10 388 for more details.