Students at Cambridge are among the latest to be affected by a mumps epidemic striking British universities.

University officials said today that 38 students had been diagnosed with the disease since the autumn term began.

Students under the age of 25 were being offered vaccinations, said a spokeswoman.

Affected colleges include Jesus, Emmanuel, Pembroke, St Catharine's, Peterhouse, Corpus Christi, Churchill and Trinity Hall.

"The university published advice in the student handbook. We advised all students to check if they had been immunised, and if not, to arrange for immunisation through their GP," she said.

"First-year students were offered the opportunity to be vaccinated free of charge, through their GP, once they arrived in the city."

Universities across the UK have been setting up vaccination programmes in recent weeks.

Experts believe that around 3,000 students and young people - born before the infant MMR vaccine programme began - could be infected with the virus by the end of the year if trends continue.