PARENTS are being urged by Lancashire health chiefs to read a new report to help them discuss sex with their teenage children.

Entitled 'Talking about Sex and Relationships: What Parents Worry About' it looks into the issues that worry parents the most about their teenage children.

According to the report, more than 4,000 parents called the national Parentline Plus helpline last year with concerns over their children's sexual behaviour and relationships.

Barbara Booth, teacher adviser for Lancashire's Healthy Schools programme, and a founder-member of Lancashire's Teenage Pregnancy Partnership, said: "Communication between parents and their children is key in helping teenagers to prepare themselves to deal successfully with the challenges that sex and relationships can bring. The Lancashire Healthy Schools programme provides a framework for schools to develop sex and relationships education that is meaningful and effective, taking account of parents' and young people's views.

"As the Parentline Plus report suggests, we would encourage parents to talk about sex and relationships education with their child from an early age and to continue that dialogue so that their child feels able to talk openly about their feelings and relationships as they move into their teens and adulthood.

"We would recommend the report as an excellent starting point for any parent wishing to play an active role in supporting their pre-teen and teenage children".

The full report 'Talking about Sex and Relationships: What Parents Worry About' can be downloaded from www.parentlineplus.org.uk/data/professionals/

Parents wanting more information or support on making time to talk with their child can call the Parentline Plus confidential free helpline on 0808 800 222, or visit their website at www.parentlineplus.org.uk

Lancashire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership started in 2001 in response to the Government's strategy to halve the rate of teenage conceptions by the year 2010. It works with the county's Primary Care Trusts, as well as professionals in education and social services, Connexions, youth and community services, county and borough councils, and housing and voluntary sectors.

Between 1998 and 2001, pregnancy in 15 to 17-year-olds across Lancashire fell from 48.5 per 1,000 to 41.1.