A SEXUAL health campaign is targeting men who have sex with men in Hartlepool.

Gay and bisexual men continue to be the group at the highest risk of being infected with HIV in the UK, according to The Terrence Higgins Trust.

Public health officials in Hartlepool are now encouraging people to wear condoms and enjoy safe sex while stressing the importance of regular sexual health checks.

Deborah Clark, Health Improvement Practitioner with Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Unprotected sex increases the risk of catching STIs like HIV, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital warts, herpes and chlamydia.

“Ideally, people should undergo a sexual health check every time they change partners or have unprotected sex but at least annually as many STIs do not have symptoms, especially in the early stages, and people may not know they have one.

“People often think of contraception as only being a way of preventing pregnancy, but wearing a condom is also the best form of protection against all STIs.”

The campaign, which targets at risk groups in Hartlepool, previously issued similar advice to young people.

It is also working to promote cervical screening to local women.

For free condoms, testing, treatment, confidential advice and support, visit thesexualhealthhub.co.uk or call 0300 330 1122.