STATISTICS released today (Thursday) show an increase in teenage pregnancies in England and Wales, but Stevenage has seen a 40 per cent reduction over the past 10 years. Sharon Taylor, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, called it a tangible health impr

STATISTICS released today (Thursday) show an increase in teenage pregnancies in England and Wales, but Stevenage has seen a 40 per cent reduction over the past 10 years.

Sharon Taylor, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, called it a "tangible health improvement" and said it was as a result of a "concerted effort" by the council, schools and partners in health.

She explained: "Ten years ago, Stevenage had the highest pregnancy rate in the region. We are now lower than the national average and about level with the average across the county."

Data released by the Office for National Statistics today shows there were an average of 41.9 conceptions per 1,000 15 to 17 year olds in 2007 - up from 40.9 the year before. It is the first increase since 2002.