PEOPLE in the North-East are being urged to send their MP a greetings card with a difference to mark World Aids Day today.

The card carries the message: "This card contains the single most effective technology in the fight against HIV/Aids"

Inside is a single condom and a plea to the UK Government to do more to prevent the spread of HIV and Aids in the developing world by providing more free condoms.

But while the Marie Stopes International campaign focuses overseas, doctors in the North-East are concerned at the growing number of HIV infections nearer home.

Dr Abayomi Opaneye, a specialist in genito-urinary medicine at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, said people were playing Russian roulette with their lives by having unprotected sex.

He has seen a steady rise in the number of HIV infections at his Teesside clinic in recent years.

There are about 70 known HIV positive cases in Middlesbrough, and that figure is mirrored in every town and city across the region.

Dr Opaneye said one of the problems was that people wrongly assumed HIV could be cured.

He said that while drugs existed to prolong the lives of people with HIV, there was still no cure. The consultant said men and women had to talk to each other about safe sex and the need to use condoms.

"We want people to take sexual health seriously," he said.

Events to mark World Aids Day are being held throughout the North-East this week.

They include a Christmas Be Safe information campaign in County Durham secondary schools and youth centres, events at Berlins bar, Darlington, and a balloon release in Durham City.

A World Aids Day service takes place at Durham Cathedral tonight at 7pm.