Figures published by the Government have revealed how many people were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STI) in St Albans last year.

The data, released by Public Health England, counted the number of times an STI was diagnosed for the first time in patients aged between 15 and 64.

In 2017, 656 people were diagnosed in St Albans, compared to 415 in Hertsmere, 498 in Welwyn Hatfield, 403 in Stevenage, and 533 in East Hertfordshire.

Infections included chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis and genital warts.

They also included various lesser-known infections such as chancroid, donovanosis, molluscum contagiosum and pelvic inflammatory disease.

The report revealed that the number of diagnoses across the country had about stayed the same, but cases of gonorrhoea and syphilis had risen by a fifth.

The health body predicts that this rise could be down to an increase in people getting tested and more people having sex without a condom.