THE number of AIDS cases in Bolton has soared according to new figures.

A further 28 people have been diagnosed with the condition or have been told they are HIV positive - taking the total number of people with the disease in the borough to 138.

In contrast, in neighbouring Blackburn and Darwen, 50 people have the virus, with 12 new cases being diagnosed last year.

And there are 94 people suffering from HIV or AIDS in Stockport, which has a similar sized population Bolton, with 19 of them being diagnosed in 2004.

But Bolton's health bosses are insisting the rise in the number of cases in the borough is in line with the national trend. They are urging people to take extra care nevertheless.

Senior health promotion specialist for Bolton's Primary Care Trust, Andrew Mulholland, said: "This is a global problem and not one that's specific to Bolton, but certainly the figures in Bolton are consistent with a concerning picture.

"The main advice I would give is for people to make sure they are practising safer sex and to always use a condom.

"Awareness does need to be maintained, but the government have recognised that because they are about to launch a new campaign."

Bolton Council has employed a specialist HIV and AIDS worker to tackle the problem.

Town Hall bosses decided to take action after it was revealed that at the end of last year there had been a 87 per cent rise in HIV cases in the borough over the past three-and-a-half years.

The AIDS worker will aim to reduce the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted disease by raising awareness.

The job will also involve trying to improve the health and social care of people living with HIV and reducing the stigma associated with it.

Cllr Bob Ronson, executive member for social services and health on Bolton Council, said: "This is a serious problem. HIV and AIDS has been on the rise.

I'm stunned that the figures are still going up, and it is very concerning."