COUNCIL bosses have launched a bid to cut teenage pregnancies in Blackburn with Darwen by almost a quarter in the next two years.

The borough council is so concerned about the borough's high rates that they have made cutting them one of its top priorities.

The scheme was revealed after Lancashire County Council announced it had been given £360,000 to help co-ordinate advice, support and contraception services to make sure youngsters know where to get help when needed.

Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle have the highest teenage pregnancy and abortion rates in the county, with as many as 72 per thousand of girls under 18 getting pregnant each year.

But latest figures show the conception rate for under 18s in Blackburn with Darwen was 58.2 per 1,000 in 2000.

Under the new strategy, the council has set itself the target of reducing teenage pregnancies by 23 per cent in the borough by 2004.

It has listed the target among its 13 public service agreements, which are among its most important targets. The new plan will be centred around making sexual health services available to more young people.

It is being paid for through government funding of £115,000, £50,000 from the Public Service Agreements Fund and the council has also allocated £150,000 out of its own budgets to try and reach the target it has set.

More services will be set up outside Blackburn town centre and a midwife will to work half-time solely with young parents. There will also be a credit card containing contact telephone numbers for existing local services available, which has already been produced and courses on personal development for teenagers are also planned.

The strategy aims to tackle rates through four areas: better services; better support; better prevention and communications and working groups have already been set up to drive forward the 19 action points.

Executive member for social services Coun Sue Reid, said: "We recognise this is a challenging target. However, teenage pregnancy is such an important issue for young people and families in Blackburn with Darwen, that we should aim high to achieve this target.

The council has been working with other agencies to put the plan together and has appointed a full-time teenage pregnancy strategy co-ordinator. Reasons for the high rates include social depravation, poverty and low educational attainment.