Condoms plan for schools

Similar schemes have caused controversy

A health authority in Wales wants children as young as 11 to be able to buy condoms in schools.

The authority wants to install condom vending machines to tackle teenage pregnancies.

The UK has the highest teenage birth rate in Europe.

In Wales, 6,000 girls become pregnant each year with at least 500 babies being born to mothers aged under 16.

Schools' choice

North Wales Health Authority came up with the scheme to try and encourage safer sex.

Individual schools will decide whether or not to take part in the scheme.

The health authority will begin consultation, hoping to win public support among communities before going ahead with the plan.

If the scheme is a success, it could be extended across the whole of Wales.

Family values campaigners and some church figures have traditionally criticised the handing-out of contraceptives to under-age teenagers.