BURNLEY health education specialist Pat Ashworth has made sure her World Aids Day message goes to countries all over the world next week.

She has linked with Virgin Atlantic Airways and Red Ribbon International and arranged for cabin crews to hand out ribbons - the international symbol of Aids Awareness - to passengers on all flights out of the UK throughout awareness day on Sunday.

The Burnley Health Trust worker reckons red ribbons flying high at 33,000 feet are just the thing to highlight this year's theme: "One World, One Hope."

She was delighted when the airline backed her idea, with Red Ribbon International adding its support by supplying about 5,000 ribbons for all Virgin passengers leaving the UK for worldwide destinations. The success has left Pat on cloud nine.

She said: "It was wonderful to see the idea become a reality."

More down to earth are other local events to support this year's Aids Day initiative.

Red ribbons will be placed on dressed dummies in clothes shops window displays in Burnley Pendle and Rossendale and HIV/Aids awareness displays presented at Boots the Chemist in Burnley.

Burnley Council will incorporate large red ribbons into Christmas decorations around the town centre bandstand and there will be HIV quiz trails in shops around the central area, with special Aids Day beer mats delivered to local pubs and clubs.

On Sunday, Burnley Aidsline are holding a charity evening and cabaret at the Garden Bar, St James' Street.

On Monday evening, Brunshaw Youth and Community Centre is staging an awareness roadshow.

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