To mark Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, health bosses from NHS England are encouraging women in Craven to make sure they have smear tests when they are invited by their GP.

Smear tests are the best way to identify abnormal changes in the cells at an early stage which can help to prevent cancer before it happens.

The latest figures show that 77.2 per cent of 25 to 64-year-olds in Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group area attended their latest appointment.

Rona Daniels, screening and immunisation lead from NHS England, West Yorkshire, said: “It is estimated that early detection and treatment can prevent up to 75 per cent of cervical cancers. If abnormalities are detected at an early stage then treatment can reduce the risk of cervical cancer developing.”