TEENAGE pregnancies in York have risen sharply - presenting a major challenge to campaigners aiming to halve the number by 2010.

Latest statistics revealed that 125 youngsters under the age of 18 fell pregnant in 2002, up from 93 in 2001.

The figure, representing 40.3 pregnancies for every 1,000 women under 18, takes York's rate close to the national average of 42.6.

That contrasts with the position in 1998, when York's figure was just 33.4, compared to 47.6 nationally.

The rise comes after several years of decline, and Selby and York Primary Care Trust teenage pregnancy co-ordinator Carly Walker said today it was thought to be a "blip", with numbers believed to have fallen again in 2003.

She said there had since been a major increase in funding for the city's Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, which has a target of reducing such pregnancies by 50 per cent by 2010.

She said funding had increased from £30,000 to £87,000 this year, with £101,000 allocated for the next financial year.

The money would be spent on a range of initiatives, including advertising campaigns, training, a sexual relations programme in schools and the promotion of sexual health services.

Areas of the city where there are high numbers of teenage pregnancies include Westfield, Clifton and Heworth.

The number of people under 16 who fell pregnant in 2002 is not yet available, but it is known that it rose from 15 in 1998 to 22 in 2001.

An annual report of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy will be prepared by the end of this month, alongside an action plan.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, March 17, 2004