CHRISTCHURCH Bridge will light up in red next week to raise awareness for World Tuberculosis Day (March 24).

Representatives from the Royal Berkshire Hospital and Reading Borough Council will be in Caversham for this year's theme of 'Light up the World for TB.'

Early detection of the bacterial disease can make it much easier to cure, but many people who suffer from TB are not screened until it is too late.

Reading’s lead member for Health, Graeme Hoskin, said: “I am delighted this year we can support the global TB awareness campaign by lighting up Christchurch Pedestrian Bridge.

“Much excellent work is being done locally to raise awareness of this debilitating disease and to eradicate it with early diagnosis and treatment.

“However, the number of TB cases in Reading is still unacceptably high.

"By working with our NHS partners we hope improved awareness in affected communities and individuals, alongside improved access to high quality services, such as the New Entrant Health Screening Clinic at Royal Berkshire Hospital, will help in the fight against TB.”

Representatives from South Reading CCG, specialist nurses and members of the council’s public health team will be providing advice and support with information stands at Central and Battle Library on March 22.

Cllr Hoskin added: "The community events in March are also one of many ways that we aim to raise awareness and reduce TB infection. Expert teams will be on hand to answer any questions, talk about TB and its symptoms and give advice about testing for latent TB."

A person may feel perfectly well and display no symptoms, but may be carrying a sleeping TB infection. Approximately one third of the world’s population has sleeping TB. People can be at risk even if they have had a chest x-ray and it was clear, and even if they have had a BCG vaccination, as this does not protect for life.

People are encouraged to use the free health screening service available in Reading for people newly arrived in the UK who may have been exposed to the disease. Advice and referrals can also be sought by visiting a GP.