THE number of people treated for HIV in the North-East has risen by a third, it has been revealed, as the Government announces a £300m action plan to fight the sexual health crisis.

Figures show 542 people were receiving HIV-related health care in the region last year.

This compares to 409 the previous year, an increase of 33 per cent.

Nationally, there were 6,606 HIV infections diagnosed last year, including 136 in the region, 40 more than in 2002.

The new figures coincided with a pledge from the Government to invest millions of pounds in tackling the crisis.

Health Secretary John Reid said the money would be used over three years to modernise sexual health services in England.

It will include a £50m advertising campaign to stop rising rates of sexually transmitted infections.

Of those receiving treatment in the North-East, the proportion of infections acquired heterosexually increased from 45 per cent in 2002 to 49 per cent last year, although the majority of these were acquired abroad.

The proportion of infections acquired by gay or bisexual men being treated in the North-East fell from 45 per cent in 2002 to 41 per cent last year, most of which were acquired in the UK.

Regional Health Protection Agency director Dr Vivien Hollyoak said: "Prevention remains the most effective way of combating sexually transmitted infections."