PREGNANT teenagers are to receive extra care and support with the appointment of two new posts in Blackpool dedicated to local young mothers.

The vital new roles are being provided by Lancashire's Teenage Pregnancy Partnership and are a teenage pregnancy midwife co-ordinator and a teenage pregnancy development officer.

A specialist teenage pregnancy midwife is also to be based in Preston. Each new position has been created to cater for the many different aspects and problems faced by local young girls and their babies.

Becoming pregnant can be a shock for any teenager, but for young women who may not have the support of a loving family, it can become a vicious circle of exclusion from life's best opportunities.

As Hazel Boardman, pregnancy co-ordinator for the North West Lancashire Health Authority, explained: "A young girl who discovers she is pregnant is very vulnerable.

She may feel she is reaching the end of her dreams of an education and career. She may have fears about how she is going to cope financially.

"We will now be able to address all these issues, to ensure all-round ante-natal care and, ultimately, a healthier, happier mother and baby."

The appointments are based at the Stoneyhill Children's Centre, formerly known as Grundy House, on Stoneyhill Avenue, Blackpool.

Nicola Wright is the teenage pregnancy midwifery co-ordinator at the centre and is responsible for antenatal care and classes and support during delivery if requested.

Eileen Houghton has taken up the position of teenage pregnancy project development officer at the centre and will take a more holistic approach, looking at the young woman's needs, including education, housing, employment and managing money.

Nicola has already started parent-craft classes at Revoe Community Centre on Queen Victoria Road, Blackpool, the Claremont West Family Centre on Egerton Road, Blackpool, and at the Sidney Street Family Centre in St Annes.

She says the job was tailor-made for her: "I always wanted to teach as well as provide care and this job gives me the chance to provide education and support for a group whose situation means they need extra care and love."

Eileen is similarly enjoying her work. She said: "I find their stories quite moving and they love their children and really want to better themselves. We are trying to encourage young women to access support services and further training, to open up opportunities for them."