BOLTON is marking the 21st anniversary of World Aids Day with a special event.

On Monday, the town will host a public awareness event in the Festival Hall.

The event is a partnership between Bolton Racial Equality Council, Bolton Council, NHS Bolton, Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton at Home and George House Trust to raise awareness of HIV and Aids and work towards ending HIV stigma and discrimination.

Two people who are living with HIV will join HIV consultant Dr Emile Morgan, lead clinician and HIV consultant at the Royal Bolton Hospital, at the event to share their experiences and expertise. The speakers have been organised by HIV charity George House Trust.

Doors open at 12.30pm and the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Anthony Connell, will officially open the event at 1.30pm. The main public awareness event will start at 1.30pm and will finish at 4.45pm.

Cllr Rosa Kay, Bolton Council’s executive member for human resources and diversity, said: “We hope that by providing factual information about HIV/Aids and giving people the chance to talk about the realities of life as a HIV-positive adult, this event will help to end the stigma surrounding the condition.”

For more information, call Leah at Bolton Racial Equality Council on 01204 331002.