THE morning after pill is to be available over the counter to Worcester schoolgirls as young as 13 as part of a pilot project.

Worcester City Primary Care Group has £10,000 to spend on providing emergency contraception in deprived areas of the city.

Three pharmacists will undergo training in June before the initiative is introduced later in the year.

Health chiefs have stressed it is a back-up initiative for girls unable to see their doctor or visit a family planning clinic. Pharmacists will discuss the implications with the teenagers before handing over the pill and will be encouraged to refer them to their GP.

Across the county, 12 pharmacists in high-risk areas will provide the pill free over the counter to under 18s.

The scheme is one aspect of a 37-point 10-year Worcestershire Health Authority strategy to reduce teenage pregnancies in the 13-18 group.

Health chiefs have unveiled a target to cut teenage conceptions by 15 per cent by 2004 and to 50 per cent by 2010.

"There's been an encouraging downward trend in conceptions in the under-16s in the last three years but there's been no decrease in the under-18s group," said Sheena Stewart, Worcestershire teenage pregnancy co-ordinator.

"Statistics show there's been an upward trend in conceptions per 1,000 in Worcester city, from 236 in 1994-96 to 253 in 1997-99 for under 18s."

As part of the plan to tackle teenage pregnancies, officials are working with teenagers to identify the sexual health and educational needs and improve access to health and general advice services.

There are more than 8,000 young people between 13-18 in Worcester and areas with higher than average teenage conceptions include St Barnabas, Holy Trinity, Nunnery and All Saints.

"We can only make a difference if we begin the education and support process from the age of 13," added Ms Stewart.

"The youth service, sexual health services and others are already available in Dines Green, Brickfields and Warndon, and high school drop-in clinics, run jointly by school nurses and youth workers, will be developed especially in areas of high teenage pregnancy.

"These services may encourage young people to discuss their problems and concerns and may help them to reduce risk behaviour."