TEENAGE pregnancies have risen in Worcestershire despite millions of pounds of Government money being spent to bring them down.

The latest figures, published on Thursday, reveal a seven per cent rise in Worcestershire teenagers getting pregnant over the last five years.

The Office of National Statistics recorded 365 teenage pregnancies in 2003, up from 340 in 1998.

Nationally, there was a four per cent drop over the same period, from 44,119 to 42,173.

But the statistics are embarrassing for the Government, which launched a £138m strategy in 1999 to halve the conception rate among under-18s by 2010.

A spokeswoman said the Department for Education and Skills (DFES) was training more teachers to give sex education lessons and recruiting more school nurses.

Efforts to persuade teenagers to stay on in schools had been stepped up, because of the strong link between poor exam results and early pregnancy.

And midwives and health visitors were also being encouraged to give high-quality advice to young mums, because 20 per cent of teen pregnancies are second births.

But Jenny Kimberlee, teenage pregnancy co-ordinator at Worcestershire Sexual Health Service, said the statistics were misleading.

"In actual fact the number of under-16 pregnancies in Worcestershire is going down year on year," she said.

"There were less teenage pregnancies in 2003 than there were in 2002 - it is misleading that the comparable figure is from 1998."

She said there was a great network of services that young people liked and were turning to.

"No one is on their own. We are always here to encourage young people to discuss what their issues are and a lot of young girls are now talking to nurses before becoming sexually active.

"That is what we consider to be really positive."

Anyone concerned about a relationship issue can call the sexual health hotline on 0800 783 2936.

We would like to hear from any teenage mums about their experiences. Call health reporter Rebecca Fisher on 01905 742260, or e-mail her at: rf@thisisworcester.co.uk