ADVICE on sexual health and relationships will be available by text message from next week, with the launch of a mobile phone service.

The confidential service allows women in the Durham and Chester-le-Street area to text their questions to specialist sexual health workers and have replies sent direct to their mobiles.

The service, which is aimed at girls and women aged from 13 to 25, will be launched on December 1 and follows the success of a similar scheme aimed at young men.

Susan Thompson, sexual health outreach worker for Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, said: "One of the major benefits of the service is that it offers anonymity and is completely confidential.

"It allows me to offer professional and appropriate advice to young women at a local level.

"The service will be available to all young women in Durham and Chester-le-Street and will give me the opportunity to engage with some young women who would not normally access any type of services."

The service can be contacted by texting TP GIRLS, followed by a question, to 60003 and information, support and advice will be sent by return text.

The service is funded by the Durham and Chester-le-Street Teenage Pregnancy Local Action Group.