A LEAFLET aimed at raising awareness about the risks of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has been produced by North-East teenagers.

Five hundred copies of "STIs - What Are They? How Can I Stop Them?" have been distributed to youth projects across Sunderland as part of efforts to improve sexual health on Wearside.

Eight teenagers at the Pennywell Youth Project have designed the leaflet in partnership with the Teenage Pregnancy Team at Sunderland Teaching Primary Care Trust (TPCT).

The information is written in an easy-to-understand format and covers the symptoms and cures of the most common STIs and how they can be transmitted and passed on to others.

Tracy Usher TPCT sexual health youth worker, said: "After taking part in a Connect course, part of which was sexual health, the young people decided that they would like to produce a leaflet to help other teenagers learn about sexually transmitted infections. The trust was pleased to back the initiative as part of our continual drive to educate people about caring for their sexual health."