Residents in Lancashire and south Cumbria are being urged to book cervical screening appointments as part of the cervical cancer prevention week (18-24 January).

Cervical screening is still running during the Covid-19 pandemic, with health leaders now encouraging women and people with a cervix to attend a screening if they receive an appointment invitation.

The screening is a free health test that helps prevent cervical cancer by checking for the human papillomavirus (HPV) virus and any cervical changes due to HPV.

Women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 49 are screened every three years, and those aged 50 to 64 every five years.

People aged over 65 are only screened if one of their last three tests was abnormal.

Tricia Spedding, Deputy Head of Public Health for NHS England, said: "It is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer, but around 30% of people do not make an appointment when they are offered one.

"You can request a female nurse or doctor.

"It may be a little uncomfortable but only takes a few minutes and could save your life."