HEALTH chiefs have started a campaign to advise teenagers about safe sex.

Students from New College Durham attended the event at Upfront, the young people's health clinic in Framwellgate Moor.

Safer Sex for Summer offered useful information, free condoms and quizzes with prizes.

A sexual health outreach advisor from the specialist health promotion service was also available.

Health promotion specialist Kim McGarry said: "Nearly 50,000 adults are living with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in the UK and the figures are continuing to rise. It is essential to highlight the importance of practising safer sex in young people.

"The earlier people tackle these issues, the greater chance they have of living a longer and healthier life."

The clinic was opened in February 2004 through a partnership of the Fairground Arts in Health and Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.

It helps meet the family planning and sexual health needs of the area's young people and offers one-to-one advice and contraceptive services as well as chlamydia screening and treatment.