HEALTH experts are set to introduce a new service into Bromsgrove's North Worcestershire College campus to help youngsters deal with sexual and other problems.

Jenny Kimberley, Worcestershire's teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, hopes the Time for You (T4U) service will be operational by September.

It will mirror services currently available from community centres in Charford and Rubery.

She also hopes to introduce a service into High Schools in the town that would involve a school nurse being able to prescribe emergency contraception to girls, including those under the age of 16.

"The service we plan to introduce at the college will be available for other young people not just North Worcestershire students. It will not only help with sexual health problems but other issues facing young people including stress and depression," said Jenny Kimberley.

"These services are not just for girls. We hope boys will take advantage of the counselling as there is an unfortunate reluctance on the part of young men to seek help."

She said trained nurses are already able to offer confidential pregnancy testing and emergency contraception to under age girls but stressed that in all cases they are encouraged to discuss problems with parents.

The United Kingdom has the highest rate of teenage pregnancies in Europe and every year 350 young women under 18 conceive in Worcestershire.

Jenny Kimberley said teenage sex was a real issue with an estimated 30 per cent of youngsters under the age of 16 believed to be sexually active.

The service will also help with counselling and advice on sexually transmitted diseases and relationship problems.