Gay and bisexual men across England will be offered the HPV jab following a successful pilot carried out at two sexual health clinics in Brent.

The vaccine, which protects against the human papilloma virus that can cause genital warts, has been offered to patients who have attended the clinics based in Northwick Park and Cenral Middlesex hospitals since 2012.

Yesterday Jane Ellison, public health minister, announced the project will be rolled out to 40,000 men in the country.

Dr John McSorley, consultant physician London North West Healthcare Trust, who managed the clinics, said: “Our project started with one teenager asking why he couldn’t have what he needed to protect himself.

“The HPV vaccines are a major achievement in protecting the public health. It is great to see that we are at the forefront of the campaign to ensure the full benefits of HPV vaccination will now be delivered to our young men who have sex with men.”