A HEALTH boss today called for a new strategy to tackle the growing problem of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Professor Qutub Syed, the Health Protection Agency's North West Regional Director, believes health experts need to do more work with youngsters in schools to drive the safe sex message home.

Last year 5,047 new cases of HIV were recorded in England in 2003 - a 20 per cent rise on 2002.

Prof Syed said: "We've been hammering home the safe sex message since the mid 1980s and still the HIV figures continue to grow. The time has now come for us to develop our strategy still further and to work more closely with schools and education authorities.

"Children and teenagers need to learn at a young age about the nature of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. They need to understand the epidemiology of these diseases, how they are spread, the impact they have on individuals, families and society, and how to avoid them.

"That is why we plan to give the highest priority to the development of a strategy for children and young people over the coming year and for the future."

Professor Dr John Ashton, North West Regional Director of Public Health, agreed. He said: "This will go far beyond sex education. It's about helping young people understand the history and nature of public health. Children and teenagers aren't stupid.

"Attitudes and opinions are formed early, so we really do need to work with schools and colleges in stimulating debate that will help teenagers in particular develop habits that will support them for a lifetime."