HEALTH experts are stepping up their drive to reduce the number of teenagers who fall pregnant.

Figures show the number of pregnant under-18s in York and North Yorkshire is lower than the national average, and in 2001 the number fell.

But in an effort to reduce the figures further, more information about sexual health will be made available to youngsters through an advice pack as part of a teenage pregnancy strategy.

Teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, Carly Crabbe, said: "One of the reasons for the high rates in teenage pregnancy in England is lack of knowledge about contraception and about where young people can access free and confidential advice and support about sexual health issues."

Selby and York Primary Care Trust and North Yorkshire Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Group have launched the advice pack for teenagers.

The pack, which will be available in nightclubs, colleges and sexual health centres, contains details of where young people can find advice and information about sexual health within their area. Also included is information about relationships, peer pressure, facts about contraception and what to do if contraception fails.

Carly said: "The packs aim to provide young people with the information and advice they need to be able to make informed, responsible and safe choices when it comes to sex, relationships and sexual health."

The pack is part of ongoing work to halve the rate of under-18 conceptions and to set a downward trend among under-16 conceptions by 2010.

The aim is also to support more teenage parents in education, employment and training to reduce their risk of long-term exclusion.

One-in-14 youngsters aged between 15 and 16 said they had unprotected sex after drinking and one-in-seven 16 to 24-year-olds said they had also done so.

The packs will be available at Selby College, York College, youth clubs, youth inquiry services, nightclubs and sexual health centres.

Updated: 09:51 Monday, December 23, 2002