SCHOOLGIRL pregnancies continue to be high in Bolton despite a national fall in the number of gymslip mums.

Bolton's teenage pregnancy rate remains well above the national average -- but local experts say it is still "early days" to see whether new policies are working.

The government aims to cut the number of Bolton's teenage pregnancies in half by 2010.

Bolton co-ordinator of the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy, Phil Ramsell, said it was still "too early" to tell if the new local policy was having an effect.

Bolton's figures still remain at 52 teenage pregnancies per 1,000 of the population.

The average rate of girls aged between 15 and 17 is 45 per 1,000.

Judith Korepta, community nursery nurse for Horwich, worked at Bolton's Young Mum's Unit for nine years.

"Teenage pregnancy rates are not falling in Bolton. In fact, I know that there have been quite a few girls aged 13 coming into the unit," said Mrs Korepta.

"One of the biggest problems is education and trying to help the girls continue with their schooling.

"You will find that teenage pregnancy is a cycle of events. In many cases, these girls come from families where their parents had children in their teenage years.

"It is a very complex issue. It is a problem which will not go away."

The Teenage Pregnancy Strategy aims to provide better support for young mums with advice on housing, benefits, training and employment as well as providing better sex education in schools.

The Government says that there has been a seven per cent fall in the under-16 conception rate and a four per cent drop in under-18s becoming pregnant.

Health Minister Jacqui Smith said: "Tackling the issues surrounding teenage pregnancy is a government priority.

"This financial year alone, £30 million has been made available to support a rolling programme of work to reduce the numbers of teenage pregnancies and support those teenagers who do become parents."

The Government says this new approach has caused the national figures to drop, although a full report will not be available until next spring.

However, Mr Ramsell said: "The last figures were compiled in 1998. We have not got any new indicators so it is difficult to say whether the new policies have had any effect. The reduction in numbers is only half of the strategy. We also try to help young people carry on with their education and support teenage parents.

"In many cases, these young girls are pilloried by society. We want to change this."

Margaret Sleight, young person's support and advocacy worker, helps young girls find homes and benefits.

Mrs Sleight said: "Many of these girls face an adult world once they have had a baby -- and many are not ready for this. They need extra support to find a house and benefits."

Fox Street Youth Centre, in Horwich, was turned into a baby massaging room this week as 16-year-old mums turned up to discover the latest in stress-free parenting.

It is just one new scheme by the pregnancy prevention experts.

Mrs Sleight said: "We have set up this service in a youth centre because it is a welcoming environment for both young mums and dads.

"This is all about working jointly with the local authority and health workers.

"Various health visitors turn up each week to give advice to new mums. Many are without the support of their own parents and family so these lessons in childcare can be vital.

"This is the only facility of its kind in this part of Bolton."