THE North-East is making progress in reducing teenage pregnancies – but continues to have the highest rate in the country.

According to latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), out of 1,000 teenage girls aged 15 to 17 there were 30.2 pregnancies in 2014.

This was down on the conception rate published by the ONS for the previous year which was 30.6 per 1,000 girls.

Claire Sullivan, deputy director for health and wellbeing at Public Health England North East, said: “The reduction in the rate of teenage pregnancy is a significant achievement and proof that the concerted effort over the last 15 years has made a real difference.

“However, we must continue to prioritise young people’s sexual health through access to good quality information, education and contraception if we are to maintain this downward trend.”

Nationally, the conception rate in 2014 out of 1,000 teenage girls aged to 15 to 17 was 22.9, the lowest level since records began.

The estimated number of conceptions in girls under 18 also fell to 22,653 in 2014 compared with 24,306 in 2013 - a decrease of 6.8 per cent.

In Darlington the conception rate among 15 to 17 year olds in 2014 was 26.8 per 1,000.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people said: “The good work needs to continue to help reduce unwanted pregnancies through age appropriate sex and relationships education and access to confidential contraceptive and sexual health advice and support.”

Natika Halil, chief executive of the sexual health charity FPA, added: "Not all teenage pregnancies are unplanned or unwanted, but young people who become parents under 18 have a higher risk of poorer health, education, economic and social outcomes.”