PARENTS are being urged to get their children vaccinated following an outbreak of measles.

There have been a number of suspected cases of the illness in the Rochdale area and health chiefs are encouraging children to take part in the immunisation programme.

None of the suspected cases in Rochdale has been confirmed but the Health Protection Agency has issued a regional warning after 22 children were diagnosed with the illness in Cheshire.

Dr Sheila Will, NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale’s director of public health, also advised parents to ensure that their children are protected by having them vaccinated against the virus.

She said: "We’ve been notified of a few cases of suspected measles, but so far none has been confirmed by laboratory testing.

"Parents in the borough are very good in having their children immunised against MMR and we’d encourage them to continue to do this."

Dr Will added that although the level of immunisation uptake in Rochdale is good, the Trust would still be taking part in national campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of measles.

She said: "If a child has not yet had their MMR vaccine, then we’d encourage parents to take up the offer of vaccination when they receive the invitation as part of this programme. Vaccination can also be arranged by contacting their GP practice."

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet, of the Health Protection Agency, said it was very important to increase uptake rates.

She added: "It’s worrying that we have 22 cases of measles in Cheshire and my fear is that we will see further outbreaks, here and elsewhere in the region."

In 2006, a 13-year-old boy in Rochdale, who was part of the travelling community, became the first person in Britain to die from measles in 14 years.

He had not been vaccinated against the illness.