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UK HIV infection fell by 7.2% from 6,617 to 6,136 in 2010

There has been a small increase in HIV infections in the North East, while infections nationally have fallen.

Provisional data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) shows 140 new cases of HIV in the North East in 2010, a rise of 4.4% over the 2009 figure.

Over the same period, the UK figure fell by 7.2% from 6,617 to 6,136.

Staff at Middlesbrough-based HIV support charity Teesside Positive Action said the rise was disappointing and called for better education.