TEENAGERS are to be offered HIV tests - with results in 30 minutes. Young people up to 19 years old will be offered the finger-prick test at the Brook Advisory Centre in Manchester centre, cutting out the usual week-long wait.

As part of a trial starting this week, staff will carry out rapid tests on Thursday afternoons between noon and 6.30.

They will also continue to offer regular blood tests, which they send away for testing. The charity has chosen the clinic in Lever Street to pilot the tests, along with a London clinic, after the number of HIV tests increased from 128 between April 2006 and last March to 406 in the last 10 months.

Brook Manchester's Stephanie Mallas said: "We expect the take-up of the new tests to be high, as young people are particularly worried about blood tests. We know many people remain anxious about HIV.

"While young people are not one of the higher risk groups for HIV, anyone who has had unprotected sex is at risk and should be checked out.

"Young people are missing out on the education and high-profile HIV campaigns which were so memorable in the 90s.

"We need to make sure we are not missing the possibility of diagnosing HIV at an early stage in young people, who often don't associate not using a condom with the risk of HIV."

Nationally, there were 745 new cases of HIV infection in young people in 2006, more than 10 per cent of all new cases, up from 275 in 1997. And Manchester has one of the highest number of cases outside London.

It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 people with HIV who have not yet been diagnosed and doctors say it is crucial people are diagnosed as early as possible, both for their own health and to prevent the virus being passed on.

Ms Mallas said the increase in HIV testing is due to a change in policy at the clinic in October. Now, they encourage anyone at risk to undergo full screening, which includes tests for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

The clinic can offer counselling and advice and can refer people to services provided by Manchester Centre for Sexual Health, Body Positive North West and George House Trust.

For information call 0161 237 3001 or see www.brook.org.uk