Statistics from the Department of Health show the national under -18 rate for terminations is 19.8 per 1,000 girls.

But in South Yorkshire the rate is higher - with 25 per 1,000 girls in Sheffield, 21 in Rotherham, 20 in Barnsley and 26 in Doncaster having the procedure.

Initiatives are in place to bring down teenage conception rates and health chiefs in Sheffield say overall numbers are falling.

The most recent figures released by the Government's Teenage Pregnancy Unit show there has been a drop in the number of girls aged under 18 getting pregnant in Sheffield from 51.7 per 1,000 young people in 2005 to 49 in 2006.

Health chiefs say outreach services, young people-friendly GP clinics and school and college drop-ins are all aiming to support young people to resist peer pressure to have sex before they're ready and to use contraception when they do become sexually active.

A Sheffield Teenage Pregnancy Partnership spokesperson said: "It is an important part of the teenage pregnancy strategy in Sheffield to ensure that young people have the skills, knowledge and information to enable them to make positive informed decisions about relationships, sexual health and contraception.

"The Partnership is committed to reduce teenage conceptions through its work, but also aims to support young women who do find themselves pregnant to make the right choice for themselves.

"We are continually working to ensure that all young people across the city have access to age appropriate and accurate information."

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