HEALTH chiefs have unveiled plans to tackle above-average teenage pregnancy rates in three Redditch wards.

The campaign is part of a 10-year strategy which has been given the go-ahead by Worcestershire Health Authority and the county council.

Youngsters aged 13-18 in Winyates, Church Hill and Central wards will be targeted as part of the scheme, which involves working with teenagers to identify their sexual heath and education needs and to improve access to health and general services in the town.

Despite "an encouraging downward trend" in teenage pregnancies in Redditch over the last three years, these areas in particular have higher than average conception rates.

Jan Mills, of the Community Trust's Sexual Health Education Team, said young people at Abbey and Arrow Vale high schools were already taking charge of how they wanted to improve health services.

Following an audit carried out by the students, a Young People's Friendly Scheme has been introduced at GP practices which allows teenagers to be treated confidentially on sexual health issues at any surgery displaying a "young person friendly" poster.

Worcester teenage pregnancy co-ordinator Sheena Stewart said: "We have set ourselves a county target to decrease teenage conceptions by 15 per cent by 2004 and to 50 per cent by 2010.

"We can only make a difference if we begin the education and support process from the age of 13, or Year 8.

"The development of drop-in clinics run jointly by school nurses and youth workers at high schools, especially in areas of high teenage pregnancy, may encourage young people to discuss their problems and concerns and help them reduce risk behaviour."

The Redditch Advertiser last week reported the launch of a Time 4U clinic in Winyates, with another soon to open in Batchley and hopes for more to eventually be set up across the town.

The Winyates Barn initiative offers contraception and sexual health, drug and alcohol advice and help on issues such as bereavement, bullying or divorce in the family to young people aged 13-22.

It is supported by the Sexual Health Unit for Worcestershire, Redditch Primary Care Group and the REDI Centre and is open from 3.30-5.30pm.