DESPITE the fact that cervical cancer tests save lives, many women still find the examinations too traumatic and gamble with their own health.

It is, therefore, vital that the tests are made more accurate and less of an ordeal, so more women are encouraged to have regular checks.

Yesterday's announcement by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) that an improved test could soon be introduced throughout the National Health Service is of huge importance to all women.

The evidence from trials, many of which have taken place in the North-East, is that the new test has significant advantages, with less trauma and quicker, more conclusive results.

Scotland already uses the new, improved test but England and Wales are lagging behind.

We trust that now the evidence has been successfully gathered, every attempt will be made to give women throughout Britain the benefit of the improved test without further delay.

Our man of the match

THE North-East is a footballing hotbed and, while it may not do anything for local rivalries, the success of our teams is good for the region.

Newcastle have carried the banner bravely into Europe this season and Hartlepool's push for promotion has made sure that their corner of the North-East has been proudly top of the league.

We should also be proud that Nigel Miller, the County Durham policeman, has been selected on merit to run the line at tonight's title decider between Arsenal and Manchester United, and to officiate at the world famous end-of-season showpiece, the FA Cup final.

Non-football followers will not understand this, but the name of the referee and the place from which he hails are always included in newspaper match reports, and they've become part of the trivia that surrounds the game.

So Sgt Miller of Durham City follows a long line of local officials - George Courtney of Spennymoor, Robbie Hart of Hurworth, Pat Partridge of Cockfield, Alan Wilkie of Chester-le-Street, Terry Heilbron of Newton Aycliffe, Jeff Winter of Stockton to mention a few - who have put the region on the map.

We wish him the best of judgment when it comes to those split second decisions that can alter the destiny of the cup or the title.