SCHOOLGIRLS have been given lifelike computer programmed baby dolls to take home and look after as part of a revolutionary scheme aimed at tackling the growing problem of unwanted teenage pregnancies in East Lancashire.

The youngsters were told to care for the dolls - which come complete with birth certificates and wake up and cry every three hours - as part of the new initiative.

The pilot scheme is being run by Communicare NHS Trust's health directorate, which covers Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley. The first trial was conducted with the help of Darwen Vale High School but another is expected to take place soon, using children from elsewhere in East Lancashire.

The idea is to give young people the chance to find out for themselves what it is like to have total responsibility for a small child.

Eleven pupils aged 15 and 16 were given a doll, which they named, and looked after constantly for 24 hours, keeping a diary.

It is programmed to simulate the moods of a real baby which can be good, normal or irritable. But even on the normal setting, it wakes up and cries every three hours.

Any rough handling or shaking by the 'mother' is recorded and it records data which shows if it has been allowed to cry for long periods.

The first baby care trial also led to discussions on sexual activity and teenage pregnancies within families. The scheme is among a number or pro-active projects being spearheaded by Communicare school nurse Janet Aqil.

She said: "The girls found being responsible for a baby to be far more trying and tiring than they had expected.

"They especially disliked being disturbed at night and found it difficult to juggle the demands of motherhood with their work, leisure and sporting commitments.

"This is an excellent way for teenagers to learn about the responsibilities of parenting and it helps them to avoid unwanted pregnancies too.

"We expect to run another project in the near future and this time boys as well as girls will be involved when they will be responsible for the doll over a complete weekend."

The scheme was introduced because of local concern about teenage pregnancy rates and Government initiatives to reduce the rates nationally.

The deputy headteacher of Darwen Vale High School, Mike Miller, confirmed that girls who have now left school made use of the dolls but he declined to discuss the future of the initiative.

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