SUPERMARKET giants Tesco have been thrown off a borough-wide scheme launched to prevent teenage pregnancies.

Health bosses Bury Primary Care Trust (PCT) has ordered Tesco pharmacies to stop supplying the "morning after" pill for free because staff have been told not to give it to those who appear to be under 16.

The free emergency contraception scheme rules state that no age discrimination can be made by the pharmacist.

Tesco stores in both Bury and Prestwich, as well as 11 other Bury pharmacists, signed up to the scheme to prevent teenage pregnancies in July 2001. Since then more than 1,000 women and teenagers have used the service.

Dr Peter Elton, Bury PCT's director of public health, said: "Regrettably Tesco has decided to overrule the professional judgement of their pharmacists by banning the provision of emergency contraception to girls under 16. Bury PCT expect a committed approach based on the agreed clinical guidelines and could not accept partial implementation."

He added: "Fortunately other pharmacists in Bury have shown a more consistent approach and continued to provide the service. This will minimise the impact from Tesco's decision and hopefully not result in any increase in unwanted teenage pregnancies."

A spokesman for Tesco said their decision was made following customers' concerns.

He said: "Customers were concerned that the pill was being provided to those under the age of 16 without the knowledge of their parents. We took the decision not to supply the pill without a prescription for this age group. Also we found there was a low uptake of this scheme for those under-16.

He added: "If PCT want to restructure the scheme then it is a matter for them. But we have a good relationship with health authorites and will continue to work closely with them on future projects."