A confidential sexual health drop-in service has been launched for young people in the Durham and Chester-le-Street area.

The service is run on Mondays, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm, at the newly-opened Sure Start Centre, in Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, Durham.

The aim of the service is to raise awareness of sexual health issues and contraception and to offer an accessible service to the community.

The drop-in service is offering free one-to-one advice on any sexual health problems, which young people in the area may have.

It is also offering a free condom distribution service using the confidential C-card scheme.

The project has been organised by a team of health visitors from Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust (PCT) who felt that there was a gap in the service.

The drop-ins offer a confidential service where young people can seek advice, access professionals such as a health visitor, a family support worker, community staff nurse and a trained volunteer.

Jan Cleaver, health co-ordinator for Sure Start Brandon and Deerness Valley and the Health Visiting Service said: "Young people experience a number of different health issues but don't feel confident enough to access mainstream services.

"So the PCT have tried to develop new ways of meeting young people's health needs in a local setting."