AN alarming rise in sexually transmitted infections across Greater Manchester has led to a radio station taking action.

From Monday, Key 103 will be at gigs, club nights and Freshers fairs armed with information about safe sex.

It is all part of the Safer Sex In The City campaign run by the radio station at Manchester University, Manchester Met and Salford University.

More than 15,000 bags will be distibuted to students containing condoms, details of local advice and support services and information about what STIs can do.

The rise in STIs is no different in Bolton. Figures released recently by the Royal Bolton Hospital show a sharp rise in STIs during the last 12 months. Rates of chlamydia, which can make women infertile, have shot up 14 per cent in 12 months at the hospital.

During 2003, 698 women were treated for the infection, compared to just 201 in 1995. Cases of herpes rose by 15 per cent from 89 to 102.

Incidences of sexually transmitted infections were highest among 16 to 19-year-old women and men aged 20 to 24. To add to the crisis, there were 725 new cases of HIV and Aids in the North-west in 2003 -- an 18 per cent increase on the previous year, and the largest rise since monitoring began in 1996.

There are 120 people in Bolton living with HIV and Aids.

Health bosses say 80 people a day in the North-west are finding out they have a sexually transmitted infection.