HEALTH workers are to target Blackburn pubs in the run up to World Aids Day to help tackle sexual diseases.
Volunteers will hand out condoms provided free by Durex to punters in pubs across the town on Saturday, November 27, and give sex advice.
And the following day volunteers from Lancashire Friends, a lesbian and gay helpline and counselling service, will help distribute condoms and advice - this time around gay pubs.
The initiative is being organised by The Jarman NHS Centre, a HIV prevention and needle exchange centre in James Street and Brook Advisory, a sex education outreach group for young people in Darwen Street.
World Aids Day is on Wednesday, December 1, and volunteers will visit Blackburn College to give out red ribbons to students and discuss HIV.
The day will culminate with a vigil at Blackburn Cathedral at 8pm featuring a host of speakers.
Volunteer Chris Walton said similar initiatives have been successful in the past with people more likely to take advice on board in an informal environment such as pubs.
He said: "We hope to raise awareness among people that HIV affects everyone. One in 50 people are affected by HIV. It's not something that has gone away.
"There is not a major problem in the Blackburn and Darwen area but we want people to make sure it doesn't affect them."
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