THOUSANDS of young people in the region are to be tested for the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia.

In the same week that health bosses revealed that the North-East is facing a steep rise in sexually transmitted disease, officials confirmed that a major screening programme is about to begin.

More than 60,000 young people aged between 16 and 25 are the target group for the new chlamydia screening service set up by County Durham and Darlington Primary Care Trusts.

Using a recently-developed and simple urine test, the screening team will be touring locations around County Durham and Darlington.

Both men and women will be invited to take part in the screening process and anyone found to have a positive result will be offered antibiotic treatment.

Chlamydia can cause infertility in women and pelvic inflammation in men, but can be easily treated with antibiotics.

Health bosses are particularly worried about the big increase in chlamydia around the country because the condition is largely without symptoms in women.

This week, the Health Protection Agency released figures which showed that the rate of new sex infections in the North-East is rising at twice the national rate.

Young heterosexuals and gay men are the groups most affected by the infections increase.

The eight per cent increase in infections between 2002 and last year included an increase in chlamydia cases from 2,763 to 3,380, a rise of 617 in only one year.

The screening programme, which is costing about £600,000, is the first of its kind in the North-East.

Eventually, the Department of Health wants to see screening programmes extended throughout the country.

Anna Leach, spokeswoman for Easington PCT, which has taken the lead on the issue in County Durham, said: "The screening team will be going to youth clubs, community centres, colleges and family planning clinics."