AMOROUS couples are doing as they are told and practising safe sex . . . next to Bolton health chiefs' offices. The secluded car park at the rear of the health authority building in Churchgate is littered with used condoms every morning. But daytime users of the car park say they are fed-up.

They believe the sheer number of condoms mean vice girls are practising lessons on avoiding HIV right on the doorstep of the health chiefs who taught them.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: "They come in all colour and sizes and you literally have to tiptoe around them.

"Monday mornings are the worst and I have seen up to 20 condoms in the corner where I park.

"I presume it must be prostitutes because a casual passer-by would not be using so many."

The surface level car park is overlooked by the offices of the Bolton and Wigan District Health Authority which recently quizzed prostitutes about their health needs. The building also houses staff responsible for promoting HIV awareness and safe sex.

District HIV prevention co-ordinator John Doyle, who is based at Churchgate said: "I suppose it is a bit ironic if they are using the car park but at least they are practising safe sex.

"I am pleased they are using the condoms but a bit disappointed they are disposing of them in this way. They do not pose a risk to health but they are a bit of an inconvenience for other people.

"Certainly in our literature we give guidance on how to dispose of them but some people are obviously not taking all our advice."

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