Rise in sexually transmitted infections among children

Numbers of under-16s diagnosed in genito-urinary medicine clinics increased from 2,432 in 2003 to 2,737, according to statistics released in answer to a Parliamentary question by Liberal Democrat health spokesman, Norman Lamb.

Cases of chlamydia - the most common STI for the under-16s - that were diagnosed in clinics went up from 1,372 to 1,530. Instances of genital herpes and genital warts both rose but cases of gonorrhoea fell.

In addition, figures from the National Chlamydia Screening Programme showed that diagnoses of the disease for 15-year-olds skyrocketed from 52 in 2003 to 2,020. But the Department of Health said that the programme had been phased in since 2003 with all 152 primary care trusts reporting data last year, so "numbers of diagnoses have risen substantially as an increasing proportion of the population have been tested".

Lamb said: "The number of youngsters contracting STIs is very disturbing. Children must be informed about the risks involved in sexual relationships and taught how to be safe."

The North East Chlamydia Screening Programme is part of a joint attempt to create an NHS record to screen over 2,000 young people for the infection over two days. The bid, also involving Evolution and NHS North East, will take place at the Evolution 09 music festival in NewcastleGateshead over the bank holiday weekend.