HIV sufferers are urging young people to practise safe sex and not repeat the mistakes they made.

People have spoken out because of rising numbers of newly diagnosed HIV (human immunodeficiency syndrome) cases in the region. HIV causes Aids (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).

Without the more widespread use of condoms they fear HIV cases will increase.

Most newly diagnosed cases in the past year are men and women who have become HIV infected from "straight" sex.

"LJ", a 26-year-old gay man who became HIV positive after unsafe sex two years ago, said: "People just think it is not going to happen to them. They are taking risks, just like I did."

He said he changed his behaviour after he was diagnosed, but it was now too late.

"What really matters right now is that everyone who is sexually active should be aware of the risk and protect themselves," said LJ, who lives in Billingham.

Tony Newton, 39, a gay man from Middlesbrough who was diagnosed with HIV in 1998, said he was shocked at the widespread complacency among young gay men who have sex with strangers without using condoms.

"I think it is just sheer bloody-mindedness. They know the facts, they just don't care," he said.

While HIV can be treated, it is still an incurable and serious illness which needs daily treatment with powerful drugs.

Teesside Positive Action (TPA), an HIV charity which covers Tees Valley, is trying to raise awareness of the continuing danger of HIV in the run up to World Aids Day, on December 1.

In the Tees Valley, more than 200 people are now known to be HIV positive, a 30 per cent increase compared with last year.

Worryingly, TPA reports that most new infections are transmitted through heterosexual sex.

TPA says that many people in the region think that HIV is only a threat to older people, drug users and gay men. The reality is that most of the new infections in the region are heterosexuals under the age of 25.

TPA members were also shocked to discover some people have never heard of HIV.

Visit the TPA website on www.tpauk.org or contact (01642) 254598.