TEENAGE pregnancy in the borough has risen by 17 per cent in two years, ten per cent above the London average, but Richmond upon Thames continues to have the lowest under 18 conception rates in London.

During 2002 there were 13 more pregnancies in girls under 18 than in 2001. The number rose from 48 to 61 pregnancies.

A new analysis of the latest figures released by the Teenage Pregnancy Unit by mayoral candidate Simon Hughes shows the increase between the years 2000 and 2002.

Houda Al-Sharifi, director of public health at Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "We are continuing to work with partner organisations to ensure young people have access to high quality education on sex and relationships and support services." Recent local initiatives organised by the PCT include a new young people's sexual health advice and support service for young people at Heatham House called KISS (Keep It Safe and Sexy), the launch of a young people's sexual health website and a support service for teenage parents.

Rachel Sands, a nurse practitioner for women and young people at the Wolverton Centre, the sexual health clinic at Kingston Hospital, said: "I know there is a low level of teenage pregnancies in Richmond but there are pockets where the figures are quite high." The rise has worried Simon Hughes. He said: "It is deeply concerning that in the last two years so many outer London boroughs have experienced increases well above the national average."

It appears that in some areas the teenage pregnancy strategy is failing to get through to young people.

"The government and local health authorities must accept that this increase in the teen pregnancy rate is not just a blip. Ministers must think more carefully about its approach on this issue and make sure young people have all the facts to hand and the support they need."