Young people are targeted by sexual health campaign

This is the fourth year that the Be Safe campaign has been run to educate and inform youngsters aged 14 and over.

It starts today, World Aids Day, and will run for three weeks until Friday, December 22.

The drive has been organised by County Durham Primary Care Trust's (PCT) sexual health team for the Durham Dales, Bishop Auckland College and school nurses from across the area.

The PCT's school nurse team will hold events in two Wear Valley and Teesdale secondary schools throughout the campaign period, offering advice and information.

Posters and postcards are being used to spread the message to young people, some of which were designed by youngsters.

They will be placed in local secondary schools, PCT offices, sexual health clinics, family planning clinics, GP surgeries, youth centres and training centres, and Bishop Auckland College.

Carl Bell, young men and boys health worker for County Durham PCT, said: "Young people in the Durham Dales area are starting to take responsibility for their sexual health, but it is always positive to remind them about risk-taking around the party season.

"Every year, thousands of new diagnoses of HIV are seen within the UK.

"We are using World Aids Day to promote awareness of HIV and AIDS to all members of our society and to emphasise the risks associated with having sex without condoms."

A number of events for people in the area are taking place, where youngsters can ask any questions that they may have about sexual health.

They include:

* December 14, Bishop Auckland College, 11am to 2pm;

* December 18, Glenholme Youth and Community Centre, 6.30pm to 8.30pm;

* December 19, Auckland Youth and Community Centre, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

Kaye Bramhald, sexual health outreach worker for County Durham PCT, said: "World Aids Day is an ideal time to launch our Christmas Be Safe campaign, and to encourage young people to think about their sexual health and Be Safe during the lead up to Christmas.