FREE condoms and confidential advice on sexual health are being offered to people as young as 13 in a bid to cut teenage pregnancies.

As well as reducing teenage pregnancy rates, it is hoped the scheme will cut the number of young people catching chlamydia and other STIs.

The scheme, available for 13 to 21-year-olds will be introduced at 30 new venues in Shoreham, Steyning, Hassocks, Hurstpierpoint and Midhurst.

The move has been criticised by the Family Education Trust campaign group.

A spokeswoman said: “The role of parents and carers is vital in protecting young people.

“The C-Card scheme denies parents the opportunity to advise and protect their children against the physical and emotional consequences of sex.”

Mother-of-two Sarah Underwood, 42, from Lancing, said: “I do think 13 is a little young to get free condoms.”

The latest figures available show more than 1,500 young people in West Sussex were diagnosed with chlamydia in one year.

C-Card is run by Sexual Health West Sussex, a branch of Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. The service is commissioned by West Sussex County Council.

Sessions are held at clinics, hospitals and GP surgeries with other locations including a sixth form college.

Friends Keila DocWra and Shannon Neal, aged 21 and 20 from Durrington, Worthing, pictured right and left, above, say the scheme is convenient and confidential.

Keila said: “I think it is a really good idea. Once you’ve got the card you can just go in, pick up some condoms with no questions asked.

“The card is really discreet too because it has no personal information on it.”

Sexual Health West Sussex lead health advisor, Richard Williams, said: “The registration and review process provides a non-judgemental, safe and confidential space to talk about sex and sexuality with a trusted adult. Registering for a C-Card helps young people of all ages.”

The professional would also consider whether the young person’s physical or mental health would suffer without the provision of contraception and may be given it if it is considered to be in their ‘best interests’.

For more details see www.sexualhealthwestsussex.nhs.uk