Women are being urged to attend NHS breast screening appointments as new figures show over a third have failed to do so.

Last year, of the 2.98 million women invited to book a check-up, only 64.6 per cent attended their appointments, an increase from 62.3 per cent in the previous year.

But a troubling 46.3 per cent of women being invited for the first time did not attend.

Dr Louise Wilkinson, consultant radiologist at NHS England, emphasised that "lives are saved when cancers are caught early," after 18,942 women were diagnosed through screening alone.

Hexham Courant: Uptake of NHS breast cancer screening in England was below target for the fourth year in a row, new figures have revealed (Rui Vieria/PA)

Following a significant £70m investment, the breast screening service will soon offer more booking options, making it easier for women to manage their appointments.

Despite a higher uptake in the South East (68.0 per cent), London fell behind with only 55.4 per cent of invited women attending.

Deborah Tomalin, director of screening at NHS England, who was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer by screening, encourages attendance, stating it "can save your life."

NHS England also urges women to be 'breast aware', routinely checking for anything unusual, and if they find anything to contact their GP.

More information on NHS breast screening checks is available at www.nhs.uk/conditions/breast-screening-mammogram.