PUBLIC health bosses are warning people in East Lancashire of the importance of practising safer sex after two cases of resistant gonorrhoea were diagnosed in the UK.

They are also reminding people to seek help if they are worried they may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

The warning comes after Public Health England (PHE) investigated two cases of Neisseria gonorrhoea in heterosexual women with similar resistance patterns to the antibiotics (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) that are used as the first line treatment for gonorrhoea.

While this type of resistance is unusual, there have been cases in other countries. Both cases were successfully treated and we are following up sexual contacts to minimise the risk of any onward transmission.

One of these cases appears to have been acquired in Europe and the other has links to Europe but was acquired in the UK.

Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: "Everyone can substantially reduce their risk by using condoms consistently and correctly with all new and casual partners.

"Anyone who thinks they may have been at risk of getting an STI should seek an STI screen at a sexual health clinic."