MP calls for Government apology to the hundreds of women in the South Lakes who were affected by breast cancer screening blunder

Local MP Tim Farron has called for the Department for Health to apologise for causing "severe distress and anxiety" after 475 women in Westmorland and Lonsdale were wrongly told they had missed breast cancer check-ups.

The Independent Breast Screening Review found that the blunder, which affected 67,000 women across the UK, was down to health bosses failing to get to grips with their own screening programme.

Meanwhile the serious error led to a further 5,000 patients wrongly not being invited for checks when they should have been.

Tim said: "We all have close friends and family members who have had cancer, and we know just how difficult a time for them that can be.

"But I can't even begin to imagine the distress and anxiety this monumental blunder has added to the pain they are already suffering.

"The Government should offer an immediate apology to every woman dragged into this scandal."