NEW drug combination therapies for HIV are helping to slow the death rate from Aids in Dorset, figures released for World Aids Day have revealed.

Between 1990 and 1994, there were 98 new cases of HIV infection in the county and 58 people died from Aids. From 1995 to 1999, the number of new cases was 110, but deaths were 56.

The figures, made public on World Aids Day today, also show that the number of new cases of HIV has remained steady over the past five years, with 22 in 1995-6, rising to 27 in 1997-8 before dropping back to 23 last year.

Dorset Health Authority spokeswoman Pauline Chudley said: "There has been a significant reduction in the rate of people moving from HIV infection to full-blown Aids. Combination therapy is proving successful in slowing down the onset of Aids."

David Galley, chairman of Body Positive Bournemouth, said: "Combination treatments are making things easier, but they only give a temporary respite. They are not a cure."

A needle exchange scheme in more than 30 Dorset pharmacies has helped contain the spread of HIV-Aids among drug users, and the county has an ongoing health campaign promoting the safe sex message. There are also plans to recruit a second gay outreach worker.

World Aids Day is being marked in Bournemouth tonight with a students' and Millennium Volunteers' pub crawl and a church service.

The event is part of a month-long Aids awareness campaign within the college, which has 27,000 full-time, part-time and mature students.

As well as having displays and information in the college, 1,700 free condoms are going to be available at the Christmas ball.

Collections were taking place in Poole's Dolphin Centre, Falkland Square and Quay today. Body Shop, Waterstones and Borders in Bournemouth were selling red ribbons.

A celebration of life church service organised by Body Positive and the Metropolitan Community Church starts at the United Reformed Church in St Stephen's Road, Bournemouth at 7pm.