WHILE it s great news that the number of teenage pregnancies in Comet country has fallen significantly in recent years, it remains an unsettling fact that national statistics have risen for the first time since 2002. Sex education in schools is crucial, n

WHILE it's great news that the number of teenage pregnancies in Comet country has fallen significantly in recent years, it remains an unsettling fact that national statistics have risen for the first time since 2002.

Sex education in schools is crucial, now more than ever.

The effects of teenage pregnancy are substantial and far-reaching.

Girls who fall pregnant are not only robbed of their childhood - forced to rapidly grow up far sooner than they should - but their education is also unavoidably disrupted. Future job prospects are jeopardised.

Statistically speaking, teenage parents are much more likely to become parents of children who themselves become teenage parents - so the vicious cycle continues indefinitely.

In this day and age it's a travesty that youngsters, with the world at their feet, should be prevented from reaching their full potential.

I support the move to make lessons about personal, social and health matters, including sex and relationships, compulsory in all England's schools from ages five to 16.

But sex education must also be improved. As well as focusing on the biological aspects of sex, moral values and what is acceptable and what is not should also be addressed.

Health authorities, schools and councils must work together towards a common goal - protecting teenagers' futures.

* WELL done to Stevenage Borough Council for being one of four councils in the country to prioritise ex-servicemen and women on housing waiting lists.

It's just disappointing more local authorities haven't done the same.

Perhaps North Herts District Council and the newly-formed Central Bedfordshire Council are planning to put Comet country on the map and follow suit?