It's hard to believe some gay men are deliberately infecting themselves with the HIV virus.

But researcher Dr Melanie Parker says a marginalised minority are going out with the express intention of having unprotected sex with men who have Aids.

It has to be stressed that these men, known as bug-chasers, are only a tiny fraction of the gay community in a city such as Brighton and Hove.

But their ridiculous and reckless behaviour is not only affecting their own health but could also spread HIV to other people.

HIV is a serious, life-threatening condition and people, gay or straight, should take all the precautions they can to avoid contracting it.