HIV alert falling on deaf ears

More than a third of Britons have had unprotected sex with a new partner in the past year, according to new research.

Despite the growing threat of HIV and Aids, one in three people said they would sleep with a man who refused to wear a condom.

And one in five would have sex on a first date even if they did not know their partner's sexual history.

The findings emerged from a poll of 6,000 people by condom maker Durex. Spokeswoman Catherine Gort said: 'It's worrying that, in the current climate of rising rates of sexually transmitted infections, people are still taking chances with their sexual health.'

Meanwhile, the Mothers' Union Christian movement is trying to shed its 'coffee morning and sensible shoes' image with a campaign urging young couples to take HIV tests before marriage.

Clare Berry, the group's marketing chief, said the advice was aimed at Britain as well as Aids-ravaged countries in the developing world.