CONDOMS will be handed out to students at York College as part of a scheme to reduce teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in young people.

The college's two health promotion advisors, Kay Ford and Riitta Hanson, already run tutorials at the Tadcaster Road campuses based around sex, contraception, drugs and alcohol.

But from next week they will also provide free condoms as part of voluntary one-to-one sessions with 16 to 19-year-olds.

The Government-funded scheme aims to provide the knowledge and the practical help to keep sexually active young people safe and prevent unplanned pregnancies.

The drop-in sessions will be open to students every day in the run-up to Christmas so that youngsters are fully informed before the festive party season begins.

Department of Health figures show that one in ten 16 to 24-year-olds in the York area is thought to be infected with Chlamydia, yet nationally only 26 per cent of young people surveyed had heard of the infection.

Kay said: "The figures for all sexually-transmitted infections are quite frightening, they are all on the increase.

"Students have told us that there is a lot of embarrassment around buying condoms; they don't know what they are buying and some of them don't know how to use them properly.

"This way we can give them advice, talk to them about relationship issues and give them support.

"We are not promoting sexual activity, we just want people to be fully informed so they can make the best decisions."

College student Dannielle Wareham, 17, said: "A couple of mates last year had babies and this year a couple are pregnant.

"Everybody says 'It won't happen to me,' but it's the ones who say that, that it ends up happening to. It's better to be safe than sorry.

"It might be embarrassing asking for condoms, but look at what it prevents."

Dominique Stubbs-Sims, 16, said: "I've been to a family planning clinic to ask for help, but people stare at you. At least in college you know you will always see a friendly face."

The campaign comes as the Government launches the "Don't play the Sex Lottery - Use a condom" campaign to increase awareness of sexually-transmitted infections among 18 to 30-year-olds.

Adverts will appear in magazines, on beer mats, scratch cards and washroom posters.

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, December 04, 2002