SIXTH form students at a Trowbridge school have been raising awareness of safe sex while raising money for a charity helping people with AIDS.

Pupils at Clarendon College, Trowbridge have been learning how to

keep themselves safe from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as part of National Contraception Week.

At an assembly on Friday the students presented a cheque for £1,017 to the Terrence Higgins Trust.

Sean Dix from the trust said: "I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf

of the Terrence Higgins Trust (West) to staff and students for this fantastic achievement.

"The money raised will make such a difference to people with AIDS."

Students have raised money for the trust in previous years by selling red ribbons to mark World Aids Day on December 1.

This year they decided to go a step further by organising a non-uniform day, with youngsters and staff paying £1. Sixth formers do not wear uniform so they dressed in red instead.

Meg Slade, head of health and social care at the school, said: "We had a meeting

of the school council and asked the students what they would like as a charity and they suggested World AIDS Day.

"In previous years we have raised between £200 and £300 so to raise this amount was great."

As well as raising valuable funds the event was used to educate sixth formers about the risks involved in having unprotected sex and the wide range of contraceptives available.

Mrs Slade said: "It is vital that students realise they must look after themselves. There is a lack of knowledge that comes to the fore on occasions like these."

There are currently 50,000 people in the UK living with HIV and numbers are continuing to rise.

National Contraception Week aims to raise awareness of the 13 methods of contraception available in the UK.

More information is available from the Family Planning Association at www.fpa.org.uk