UK pharmacy chain Superdrug is launching the £79 InstiTest, which gives results in just 60 seconds from a tiny fingertip blood sample.

Nurses will administer the confidential test at six stores in Brighton, Edinburgh, Croydon, Cardiff, Newcastle and Manchester. Trials have shown the test is 99.96 per cent accurate.

Patients who test positive will be referred to an NHS specialist.

Until now, people had to go to a free sexual health clinic - and wait weeks for the results - or pay a private GP.

The National Aids Trust welcomed the Superdrug move, saying: "If someone gets diagnosed early they can live a long, active life with HIV. But if they delay, they can become very ill and put their partners at risk too."

Source: Emma Morton The Sun, 3 March 2010