Actors from popular Bristol drama Skins unveiled a mural in Stokes Croft to encourage young people to get tested for a sexually transmitted infection.

Ollie Barbieri, who plays JJ, and Megan Prescott, who plays Katie, took time out from filming to support an NHS health campaign to raise awareness about chlamydia.

The new artwork, sponsored by the NHS, is part of a week-long programme to encourage sexually active 15 to 24-year-olds across the former Avon area to take a test for the infection.

It is being backed up by a team who have taken to the streets of the Bristol area to hand out chlamydia tests to young people.

They have already visited the city's night spots and shopping centres outside the Memorial Stadium for the Bristol Rovers clash against Yeovil and will be returning to the area around the ground for the Bristol Rugby match against Coventry on Friday.

Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among sexually active 15 to 24-year-olds, but because it often has no symptoms, many do not know they have it. If left untreated it can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies.

If caught, it can usually be treated with a short course of antibiotics.

Mr Barbieri said: "Get tested, get treated – it's as simple as that."

The mural was created by graffiti artists Tom Holdsworth and Adam Mclevey.

Mr Holdsworth said: "First the council and now the NHS are waking up to the fact that graffiti can be force for good in the city."

Avon Chlamydia Screening co-ordinator Karl Pye said: "Testing is easy and so is the treatment. We especially need more young men to come forward and get tested."

Tests are free and confidential and self-testing kits are available to use at home.

For more information, contact your GP, sexual health clinic or call the Avon Chlamydia hotline on 0845 180 0050.