ONE hundred helium balloons were released into the sky to raise awareness of HIV/Aids.

The event commemorated the 40 million people worldwide who are living with the illness and the three million who died of Aids last year.

Gravesham mayor Councillor Ray Parker joined staff at the Gr@nd Project, New Road, Gravesend, on World Aids Day on December 1.

The Gr@nd Project is a cyber cafe which offers advice on issues from housing to sexual health.

Project manager John Britt said: "We want to get people to think about their lifestyles and reinforce the importance of practising safer sex."