AN innovative project aimed at providing an east Durham school with its own young people's health and advice unit was launched yesterday.

The Teenage Referral and Advice Centre (TRAC) based at Shotton Hall school has been devised as a means of supporting pupils on a wide range of problems from exam stress, bullying and eating disorders to drug/alcohol abuse and sexual health.

TRAC is a partnership project between the school and Easington Primary Care Trust (PCT) and is also being supported by the local community.

Jackie Carter, from the PCT's health development team, said: "Research shows that young people can be reluctant to visit their GP and we are aiming to reduce these barriers. The centre will be for pupils only and will be strictly confidential."

Jackie stressed, however, that the ground-breaking facility is not a medical centre and will not deal with first aid or medical inquiries.

She said: "We want to offer generic health information, advice and support to the pupils.

"It will not be a sexual health clinic, but while it is envisaged a proportion of enquiries will be around sexual health issues, the intention is to be able to deal with a much wider range of issues from healthy eating to mental health promotion and promoting general all-round good health.

Anyone wanting any information on the project can contact Graeme Greig at Easingon Primary Care Trust on 0191 5545700 or Ellen Foxton on 0191 586 8493.