HEALTH bosses in Winchester have won a six-figure grant to help tackle the growing problem of sexually transmitted diseases.

The government has awarded them £500,000, which will allow them to move out of unsuitable portable buildings at the front of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The money will enable them to fund a purpose-built clinic in response to a rise in the number of sexually transmitted diseases being reported in the city.

The move comes after figures showed chlamydia infections rose 24 per cent in 2002-03 across Winchester, while gonorrhoea increased by 32 per cent and herpes by six per cent.

The total number of diagnoses increased by nine per cent.

The Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust will match the £500,000 by providing space for the new clinic in a property in Romsey Road near the hospital.

An application for planning permission for the change was due to be submitted to the city council.

A spokesman said work could start soon. She said the new location was more discreet then the previous clinic, which was on the forecourt of the hospital.

Staff heard the news of the grant this week and were delighted that years in unsuitable accommodation was soon set to end.

Alison Dorey, divisional general manager for family services, said: "This is a great project and the whole department is looking forward to the new clinic.

"There are so many advantages to this new building, including the department not having to share the space so there will be more rooms available and the possibility to lengthen or change the opening hours to better suit patients' needs."