The largest HIV awareness campaign ever seen in Croydon has launched today with a mobile testing clinic where you can find out in just 15 minutes if you have the condition.

"It Starts With Me" runs during National HIV Testing Week, from November 22 until World Aids Day on December 1.

It is in response to concerning figures that show in Croydon, more than half of people with HIV get diagnosed late, and almost 30 per cent get diagnosed very late when their immune systems have already been damaged, which can lead to serious ill health.

The borough has among the highest rates of HIV in the UK, with an estimated one in every 170 people living with the virus, compared to one in every 300 in 2002.

If caught early, people with HIV can receive treatment to live a long and healthy life.

The mobile clinic has two consultation rooms and will be parked at different sites across the borough, in West Croydon, Thornton Heath, Norbury, South Norwood, New Addington and North End in central Croydon.

People will be able to turn up, get tested and find out the result in 15 minutes.

In addition, there will be posters on buses and trams, promo materials at GP surgeries and pharmacies, and educational sessions.

Councillor Margaret Mead, cabinet member for adult services and health, said: "Through this campaign we want to reach more people who might not normally have an HIV test, and reduce the stigma associated with HIV that still exists to this day.

"We hope to get more people tested and ultimately reduce the number of people being diagnosed late.

"The sooner people know they are infected, the quicker they can be treated before the onset of serious health problems."

To find out when and where the clinic will be, visit www.swish.nhs.uk