Teen pregnancy rate in Leicester below UK average

The teenage pregnancy rate in Leicester has fallen below the national average for the first time since 1998.

The county figure also fell, to its lowest for nine years.

Newly-released NHS statistics showed that in 2011, 181 girls in the city became pregnant in 2011, compared with 365 in 1998, when information first began to be collected.

This equated to a rate of 30 girls aged 15 to 17 in every 1,000. The national rate was 30.7 per 1,000 girls.

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Vi Dempster, council spokeswoman for young people, said: "It is fantastic to see such a reduction in teenage pregnancy rates.

"It is a real testament to the young people themselves for taking our advice on board and having a better understanding of the consequences of teenage pregnancy."

Health and council officials have worked to improve education in schools during the past two years.

Information about access to contraception and sexual health has also been improved.

Deb Watson, director of public health for Leicester, said: "We know the continued reduction in teenage pregnancy will improve the health outcomes for young people."

The latest pregnancy rate compared with 64.6 per 1,000 girls in 1998.

In Leicestershire in 2011, the NHS said 303 girls became pregnant.

This was a rate of 25.4 girls per 1,000 in the 15 to 17 age group.

That was down on the previous year's figure of 26.5 per 1,000.