Nearly 500 young people in Redbridge were diagnosed with chlamydia last year – but the borough has one of the lowest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in London.

More than 2,000 cases of diseases including herpes, warts, gonorrhoea and syphilis were found in total in 2012.

While few of the diseases pose a serious health risk and can be easily treated or controlled, some could cause complications later in life.

The most common disease in Redbridge, chlamydia, usually has no symptoms but can cause health problems if left untreated.

There were 10 cases the least common disease, syphilis, 173 of herpes, 183 of gonorrhoea and 285 of warts.

While the cases of warts and chlamydia, which is most prevalent in 15 to 24-year-olds, are falling, diagnosis of herpes and gonorrhoea were up on last year.

Public Health England (PHE) recommends using condoms to reduce the risk of infection and regular testing.

PHE London director Dr Yvonne Doyle said: “The high STI rates in London mean that too many people are continuing to have unsafe sex and putting themselves at risk.”