YOUNG women are being targeted in new efforts to get them through the door for smear tests.

Employers have been asked to ensure working women and people with cervixes are allotted time to attend the vital appointment.

Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust has been urging bosses to make space for the medical appointments after it emerged young women are one of the most likely groups not to visit the nurse - and being busy with work and childcare, along with lack of symptoms, has been listed as one of the main reasons for skipping the test.

The campaign, Time to Test, was born after it emerged only 38% of eligible people were able to find a convenient smear test appointment, according to its research.

The initiative is just one of many being conducted by the charity in a bid to tackle low smear test uptake across the country.

As previously reported, Glasgow's staggeringly low uptake promoted the Don't Fear the Smear campaign, which is urging women and people with cervixes to get their examination.

The Glasgow Times has also called on both the Scottish Government and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to reduce waiting times for both results and follow-up colposcopy exams.

Both organisations have also pledged to tackle uptake issues.

As previously reported, women from ethnic minorities, those living in deprivation and younger women are among the least likely to attend.

When signing up for the Time to Test initiatives, organisations, such as SSE and Pets at Home, will be given a certificate and logo to help raise awareness of the plight.

Samantha Dixon, the charity's chief executive, said: “A world without cervical cancer doesn’t have to be a pipe dream. The UK has the tools to make it a reality which is incredibly exciting. We need government action to get there as soon as possible, but everyone can play their part. Going for cervical screenings when invited, and making sure your child is vaccinated against HPV, will help make cervical cancer a thing of the past.

“We must also continue to invest in research, improve access to treatments, and banish the stigma and blame that too often comes with a cervical cancer diagnosis. Being forward-looking should not mean those living with and beyond cancer get left behind.”

It comes after the charity praised NHS Scotland for being the first to approve a vital drug to help in the fight against the disease.

Samantha said: “Those diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer have few options when it comes to treatment. It is a much-overlooked area and so we are delighted that pembrolizumab has been approved for use in Scotland.

"It will give new options, hope and most importantly time to those living with advanced cervical cancer.

"Too frequently we hear from women having to fight for access to new treatments, with their options affected by where they live and sadly sometimes their wealth. We hope to see other UK nations follow and end the postcode lottery of care for advanced cervical cancer.”