IT SEEMS the message is starting to get through when it comes to teenage pregnancies.

Health promotion teams in Brighton and Hove have had impressive results over the past 15 years, with the number of conceptions among young people almost halving. The approach is based on education and making sure young people are aware of the risks and the need to take the right precautions if they intend to sleep together.

Hopefully this will not only continue to have an impact on pregnancies but will also help reduce sexually transmitted infections as well.

The UK has some of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and so it is important every effort is made to try to bring the numbers down.

Young parents can be very good parents but we need them to know what they are getting into so they can take precautions if they’re not ready.

Sussex still has a way to go but at least things are moving in the right direction.