IT’s alarming that almost a quarter of women in Swindon who are eligible for free cervical screening are failing to take up this crucial test.

It seems the Jade Goody effect has lost its potency.

Ms Goody was the reality TV celebrity who lost her life to cervical cancer five years ago after a high-profile battle with the disease at the age of just 26.

Her legacy was to raise awareness of the disease in young women... and local lady Sarah Wharton is well aware of the impact Ms Goody left behind.

This weekend, she had her head shaved in memory of her sister-in-law Charlene Surtees, who lost her battle with cervical cancer in January.

Sarah is adamant that frequent tests gave Charlene months longer than she would have had if she had ignored them.

Sadly though, the figures we highlight in our report today show that an increasingly higher number of women are not turning up for the test that could potentially be a life-saver.

Medics are becoming increasingly alarmed at the low take-up for screening.

They are urging women to make their appointments... and most important of all, don’t fret about them.

It’s a routine thing... and it could save your life.

Please be sensible ... get in touch with your GP... and don’t forget about it.

It won’t go away.