NEW cases of HIV and Aids are soaring with East Lancashire recording some of the highest rises in the North West.

A new report out today shows that more HIV positive people are accessing treatment and care than ever before - some 725 extra cases were reported in the region last year.

The Liverpool John Moores University report said many people were being infected abroad and new cases in the last two years have involved more heterosexuals than other groups.

Now doctors are warning people about summer holiday flings. And health experts have said people's attitudes to sex must also change because society has become complacent about Aids.

They said widespread sex education was needed, and that health authorities must also plan for the future.

The numbers of people seeking treatment more than doubled in Blackburn with Darwen between 2001 and 2003, from 17 to 38.

In the same period cases almost doubled in Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley, from 14 to 26. And in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, cases rose by 50 per cent from 24 to 36.

Dr John Asbury, public health consultant at the Health Protection Agency's Accrington office, which works with GPs on Aids issues, said: "I think things have slipped during the last few years regarding control of Aids.

"There are probably various factors, including public attitudes, health education, NHS restructuring and Government policy changes.

"In the 1980s, people were terribly afraid of Aids. But I think it's now seen as an accepted risk of sex. But it's a serious disease that can kill.

"Sex education is a problem. Aids isn't being treated with the same emphasis it used to be."

But he emphasised the new figures also show that people with Aids and HIV are living longer, due to better treatment.

Dr Arif Rajpura, of the East Lancashire Public Health Network, added: "Abstinence or monogamous sex with one person is the best way to behave, and condoms are the best method for having safe sex.

"People are travelling abroad at this time of year and they must practice safe sex on holiday."

Prof Qutub Syed, the Health Protection Agency's regional director, said: "People need to wake up to the reality of a very serious situation and start taking responsibility. Unprotected sex is a lottery and a gamble not worth taking."