THERE has been a rise in cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis in Blackburn with Darwen over the past five years.

New data shows a 64 per cent increase in cases of gonorrhoea cases and a 29 per cent increase in syphilis in 2017, compared with 2012.

But there has been a fall in cases of chlamydia in young people aged 15 to 24, from 469 in 2012 to 433 in 2017.

East Lancashire’s patients' champion Russ McLean described the figures on the sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as ‘quite shocking’ and blamed funding cuts.

He said: “Funding cuts have been made by councils and government to sexual health services. It’s important that young people are educated about safe sex and contraception and know of services available to them.”

The Public Health England (PHE) data shows there were 28 cases of gonorrhoea in 2012 compared to 46 in 2017, while there were seven cases of syphilis in 2012 and nine in 2017.

But a spokesman for Lancashire Care Foundation Trust said the number of gonorrhoea and syphilis cases is ‘significantly’ better than the England average.

The trust said it provides an all-age Contraception and Sexual Health service in Blackburn with Darwen and also an under 25s’ service in those parts of the county that are covered by Lancashire County Council, including East Lancashire.

The spokesman said: “While the figures show an increase in the number of STIs (excluding chlamydia) in Lancashire for under-25s, there has been a decreased number of STIs (excluding chlamydia) in Blackburn with Darwen. Although there has been an increase in the number of gonorrhoea and syphilis cases, these figures are significantly better than the England average.”

Dianne Draper, screening and immunisations (locum) and sexual health lead at PHE North West, said: “There are many factors which can influence an increase in diagnoses of some sexually transmitted infections.

“These can include lack of condom use and people practising more risky sex.”