IN a show of support for World AIDS Day a red ribbon flag is being flown from the top of County Hall, Taunton, today (Thursday, December 1).

The council, in partnership with The Eddystone Trust, is flying the flag to show its support in fighting stigma associated with the illness.

In 2015 there are over 100,000 people in the UK living with HIV and only 88,769 know they have the condition, which increases the risk of onward transmission greatly.

In the same year more than 6,000 were diagnosed with HIV and in the South West 41.1 per cent of those diagnosed were diagnosed late.

Trudi Grant, director of public health at Somerset County Council, said: "We are proud to fly the flag and to raise awareness of World AIDS Day.

"We know one of the concerns people have in getting help is the stigma associated with sexual health.

"Part of our work is to tackle and reduce this stigma and raise awareness that early testing offers a better chance of living well with the illness.”

Andrew Evans, director of operations of The Eddystone Trust, the local HIV and sexual health charity, said: “We aim to promote and increase HIV testing in all areas. It is better to test sooner as a late diagnosis can damage your body and even shorten your life.

“We want to expand rapid HIV testing across the South West, working with our partner organisations on testing and HIV, to promote and increase professionals access to training and seminars on the topics of sexual health and HIV.”