A NATIONAL drive to tackle teenage pregnancy is set to arrive this spring at a Saturday drop-in centre offering the morning-after pill.

It will operate from Youth House, Bromsgrove Street, Kidderminster, as a new holistic health and welfare centre for young people.

Details are still to be decided but youth leaders are welcoming the project as a much-needed service responding to what young people have told them they want.

The project under the Primary Care Group health improvement programme will offer youngsters help and advice.

This includes how to cope with acne, relationship breakdowns in the family, other relationship difficulties and bullying at school.

It will also be the first purpose-planned centre for teenagers who have sexual problems or who need protection from pregnancy.

The initiative is backed by the Government which has laid down a target to reduce teenage pregnancies by 15 per cent by 2004 and 50 per cent by 2010.

Worcestershire health project co-ordinator Sheena Stewart emphasised providing emergency contraception was not about encouraging teenagers into sexual activity.

"This is a really exciting scheme that will offer advice to the young on sexual matters and also on a whole range of other problems from spots to bereavement and bullying."

Wyre Forest Primary Care Group project leader Mary Weller said the scheme was linked directly with the results of a meeting between PCG leaders and youngsters at the Gainsborough House Hotel more than a year ago.

She said: "Young people will be able to seek advice about personal, family and social relationships, health, housing and education in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

" Emergency contraception will be available and the centre will be staffed by a sexual health trained nurse."

Ann Baldaro, of the youth inquiry service at Bromsgrove Street, said: "I am absolutely thrilled this project is starting soon. It will be great for the district."

She said the youth centre already provided help and advice but there would be a big advantage in running a service at the weekend.