Sharp fall in teenage pregnancies

Teenage pregnancy rates in North Yorkshire have fallen by almost a third in the last 10 years, according to government figures.

The reduction in teenage pregnancies of 31.9% compares with a national average of 13.3% and an average for the Yorkshire and Humber region of 12.2%.

North Yorkshire County Council put the results down to successful sex education campaigns in schools.

It plans to halve the number of teenage pregnancies by 2010.

Councillor Caroline Patmore, executive member for children and young people, said: "This very sharp reduction in unwanted pregnancies is a tribute to the wide-ranging campaigning measures put in place by North Yorkshire County Council and its partner organisations in the past ten years.

"The strategy aims to halve the number by 2010, so clearly there is still a long way to go.

"But we are extremely pleased with our progress to date."