A young woman from Willesborough is encouraging women to get their smear tests by sharing a video of herself whilst having a cervical screening test.

Sophie Brandon, 24, took the decision to share her first smear test via a video which shows her talking to the camera as the test is being carried out.

Miss Brandon wanted to show people how quick and easy the test is as well as to raise awareness of how important it is for women to get the test done.

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The video was posted on Facebook and has now received over six thousand views.

Miss Brandon, who owns a barber shop in High Halden, said: "I didn't expect the video to go as far as it has. I was so scared to put it online because I was expecting really nasty comments but then I thought why not.

"All the reaction has been positive, saying it's about time somebody showed what it's really like."

She continued: "I was petrified. I knew I had the appointment coming up but I had never really been told much about it

"All of my friends were scared and told me to let them know what it was like and what happens because it is quite a big thing, so I thought I would video myself and explain what it was like."

VIDEO: Sophie Brandon films herself having a cervical cancer screening to raise awareness

The cervical screening test is used to check the health of the cells in a woman's cervix and if there are any changes and traces of HPV. Currently, screening starts for women aged 25 who have to have the test every three years until the age of 50, where the test is reduced to every five years.

According to the NHS website, 'since the screening programme was introduced in the 1980s, the number of cervical cancer cases has decreased by about 7% each year'.

Miss Brandon added: "There is a lack of awareness about the test and I think a big part of what put's women off it the embarrassment but you're with professionals and it really isn't that much of a big deal.

"It isn't painful either. For anyone worried about their test I would say don 't worry, your health is so important and it is over so quickly. The five minutes it takes is worth it if it could save your life."