'Jade effect' boosts smear rise

Jade Goody died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day

A "staggering" increase in the number of women having cervical screening in North Yorkshire is being attributed to the "Jade Goody effect".

The 27-year-old reality TV star died from cervical cancer on Mother's Day.

Up to 500 more women a week are now having smear tests, according to North Yorkshire and York NHS Trust.

Figures show that in the week up to 17 April, 300 woman aged between 25 and 29 underwent tests compared with 125 in the same time last year.

The trust said said there had been a staggering increase and along with other age groups, hundreds more women being tested every week.