A RANGE of events will be held across north Durham to mark World Aids Day today.

Staff from the Specialist Health Promotion Service for Durham and Chester-le-Street and Derwentside Primary Health Trusts will be helping to raise awareness at New College, Framwellgate Moor, Dur-ham, from noon to 2pm.

Woman and Aids, a theatre production by Cap-a-Pie will be staged at The Store, Dipton, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

The performance stars pupils from a number of schools in Derwentside highlighting the issues of HIV and Aids.

A special World Aids Day Service will be held at Durham Cathedral at 7pm.

PCT health promotion specialist Ruth Taylor said: "We are using World Aids Day to promote awareness of HIV and Aids to all members of our society and to emphasise the risks that are associated with having sex without condoms and sharing injecting equipment.

"World Aids Day 2004 and the events that are taking place remind us that HIV and Aids can affect anyone.

"The earlier people are diagnosed with HIV, the greater chance they have of living a healthier and longer life.

"An awareness and knowledge about HIV also enables people to make informed choices about their sexual behaviour and practising safer sex and safer drug use."