YOUNG people in former pit villages near Durham can now get advice on sexual diseases at a clinic.

It is held every Friday, between 2pm and 3pm, at the Sure Start Centre, in Durham Road, Ushaw Moor, and is aimed at men and women under 25 in the Brandon and Deerness Valley area.

Sure Start has teamed up with Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust chlamydia screening team to raise awareness of the risks of unprotected sex and give advice on sexually-transmitted infections.

People attending the clinic can take a simple test to see if they have the infection and get treatment if they have.

Jan Cleaver, Sure Start health co-ordinator, said: "This is an excellent opportunity to address the sexual health needs of young people locally in a simple, convenient and confidential way.''

Lynn Wilson, leader of the chlamydia screening programme, said: "Chlamydia is now the most common, curable sexually transmitted infection in people under 25 in England and Wales, with around one in ten young people being infected.

"The infection is most common in younger sexually active adults, especially women aged under 19 and men under 25.

"The rate of chlamydia infection has almost doubled in County Durham over the past five years, mirroring the national increase.

"Chlamydia is easily treated with antibiotics, but a large number of cases of infection remain undiagnosed and untreated as most people do not have symptoms.

"It is important that young people find out as soon as possible if they have chlamydia, as it may have serious long-term consequences, including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy and infertility in men and women.''

She added that the clinic provides young people with the opportunity to raise other questions of sexual health in a confidential setting.

Further information is available by calling 0191-587 6016 or from the website www.haveigotit.org