John Murdoch, a senior clinical lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology based at St Michael's Hospital, has led the Bristol part in the UKCTOCS trial - the world's largest study of its kind.

Bristol achieved its target of recruiting just under 17,000 women aged 50 to 74 for the trial, which it is hoped will have a significant impact on the death rate from ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer, often called the silent killer because it is often diagnosed too late for effective treatment, is the most common and fatal gynaecological cancer in the UK.

This disease currently kills more than 70 per cent of women who develop it but, if diagnosed in the early stages, more than 90 per cent of women can survive - a figure that highlights the need for a reliable early screening test.

A total of 13 centres up and down the country have been involved in the trial since it began in 2001 and the last samples will be collected this week.

Each centre held a small ceremony where they will be awarded with a certificate to acknowledge their contribution to this record-breaking programme.

Several of the Bristol women who have taken part in the trial were there to take part in the hand-over of the final sample on Wednesday (Nov 2).

The event was also intended to draw attention to the work carried out by the Eve Appeal launched in January this year to raise £5 million.

The appeal is intended to support world-class research into prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer and other gynaecological cancers.

John Murdoch said: "We are delighted to have taken part in this important study which will answer important questions about screening for ovarian cancer.

"We would like to record our gratitude to all the 16,000-plus volunteers from the local area who have taken part.

"Their contribution will help us to cut the number of deaths from ovarian cancer."