A mother of two forced to have a hysterectomy at the age of 35 is urging women to attend regular smear tests.

Michelle Vinall, of Wraysbury Road, Staines, was found to have pre-cancerous cells following a check-up and two months ago underwent major surgery in a bid to avoid developing cancer.

She said: "I was meant to go to about a year-and-a-half beforehand but had put it off because they are not very nice and I was busy so it goes to the back of your mind."

She then forgot about the results and it was only when her mother started to nag her that Mrs Vinall went back to the doctors.

"The doctors told me the results were abnormal," she explained.

A further appointment was arranged for April and Mrs Vinall was referred to a gynecologist where it was confirmed that the cells were pre-cancerous and a colposcapy was carried out.

"On June 4 they said as I had two children I could have the cells burnt out every six months of have a hysterectomy."

Mrs Vinall, who has a son James, 12, and Francesca, 10, had the operation on July 10 and afterwards was informed that the cells had passed a pre-cancerous stage.

"I was told that they were in the very early stage but still cancerous. I was irritable for a week.

"It was very hard. I have to go back in September to confirm whether I need radiation."

Following the operation Mrs Vinall has become impassioned as she tries to encourage people to go for smear tests.

"People keep very quiet about the need to go for a smear test," she said. "Everyone hears about breast cancer and cervical cancer is something we have to go for smear tests for.

"A lot of people have not had one for years."

Mrs Vinall works at Wraysbury Primary School and says many of the women she works with have nt been for smear tests for years or refuse to go.

"With 1,200 women dying from cervical cancer in the UK every year and 274,000 world wide it is definitely something people need to be aware of and I don't think people are," added Mrs Vinall.