Hertfordshire's Euro MEP Richard Howitt joined campaigners this week in St Albans to "keep up the momentum" in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Labour MEP is a patron of the Crescent Centre in Russell Avenue that has provided support and care for those living with HIV, their partners, families and friends for 25 years.

This week is European HIV Testing Week and the Crescent is presenting an exhibition at St Albans Cathedral called ‘Stand Tall and Get Snapped’, a project that promotes better understanding of HIV by putting a human face to the condition.

There are nearly 110,000 people living with HIV in the UK and according to Public Health England as many as a quarter are unaware of their condition.

Richard Howitt MEP said: "We need to keep up the momentum in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"If you think you might have been at risk then the Crescent and other health agencies can provide a test.

"The Crescent Centre needs financial support - its crucial work continues currently without external funding and depends solely upon the dedication of  volunteers and former staff working for nothing.

"I urge everyone to visit the exhibition in the Cathedral to discover more and see the human face of the condition.

"The attention is firmly on the challenge on this World AIDS Day but we need to keep up the fight for the next 51 weeks and beyond."