A CONFERENCE designed to give advice and support to young parents took place in Tees Valley yesterday.

The day-long Young Parents Think Positive meeting at the Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe, was attended by more than 130 delegates.

Although the national picture shows teenage conception and births are decreasing, it is still often seen as a problem.

The conference set out to persuade challenging agencies supporting young parents to be more effective.

"We are often encouraged to look at young parenthood as a disaster, for the parent, the child and society at large - however, it doesn't have to be," said Stuart Dearlove, of Connexions Tees Valley.