THE number of young people from Darlington contracting sexual diseases on holidays is one of the concerns being raised at a sexual health seminar this week.

The event will highlight the growing problems associated with youngsters going on holidays abroad, which is leading to an increase in sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).

Darlington Primary Care Trust sexual health worker Lesley Hunter said: "Holidays abroad have never been so accessible.

"Youngsters in this area are going to Tenerife and Ibiza and coming back with a variety of infections.

"Holidaymakers are a group we are trying to target and we hope to start working with the travel industry. We are trying to get over the message that you just cannot tell by looking at someone whether they have an STI or not."

The seminar, which is being held in the town's arts centre from today until Wednesday, will encourage community workers to promote condom use in an attempt to spread the safe sex message to the most vulnerable sections of society in Darlington.

It will target people who work with the young and old, people living with disabilities and of diverse sexuality and gender.

Research has also shown that in young people unplanned pregnancies can plunge them into a spiral of social deprivation.

The seminar will also tackle sex and the law, the myths and misconceptions surrounding condom use and gay issues.