WOMEN under the age of 25 will no longer be given routine cervical smear tests.

From this month, the local health authority will raise the age at which it invites women in the borough for such tests from 20 to 25.

The change is in response to doctors' concerns that too many young women have had to have unnecessary tests following a cervical smear, which cause "needless anguish".

Bury Primary Care Trust will wait until women reach their 25th birthday before inviting them for a smear test. And as part of the national screening programme, women will be invited every three years until they reach the age of 50, after which they will be called every five years until they are 64.

Dr Peter Elton, Bury's director of public health, said: "We need to make sure that all women aged 25 to 64 have regular smears.

"We must put our efforts into that, rather than spending a lot of time giving young women smears who do not need them."

He added: "Many young women have had abnormal smears, but it is exceedingly rare for this to be serious. It makes it even more important to increase the age of starting to screen as the number of tests being required has been escalating. There are other tests that can be performed to check for infections."

Gloria Chambers, Bury PCT's screening co-ordinator added: "If you have had a recent smear and your letter said you would be invited again in three years, this will not change, no matter what age you are. Changes will only happen after your next smear.

"In the meantime, if you have any worrying symptoms you should see your doctor straight away."