Elton in editor's chair for AIDS day

British singer-songwriter Elton John has taken time out from touring to edit The Independent newspaper to mark World AIDS Day.

Wednesday's edition of the newspaper featured several pages of coverage of the fight against HIV, as well as contributions from John's famous friends, including comedian Stephen Fry and actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Proceeds from the day's sales will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Simon Kelner, The Independent's editor who stepped down for the day, says there is a danger that the threat of AIDS is being played down.

"It's quite thrilling in one sense to have someone as eminent as Elton editing the paper," he said.

"But also there's a serious purpose to this, which is to focus on World AIDS Day and to focus on the issues around AIDS which slightly don't attract the focus that they used to."