THE number of teenage pregnancies in Cheshire has fallen by more than 8% over the past nine years.

According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, the number of pregnancies recorded in girls under 18 in 2005 stood at 445 - the highest of any local authority area in the North West.

But when population sizes of the areas are taken into account, Cheshire actually had the lowest rate, at just 34.6 per thousand girls aged 15-17.

However, the county has the highest rate of pregnancies resulting in legal abortions, at 47.9%.

Overall, the number of teen pregnancies in the county fell by 8.4% between 1998 and 2005.

Minister for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes, said: 'I am pleased the figures show teenage pregnancy rates overall are continuing to fall. They show that the strategy is pushing teenage pregnancy rates in the right direction.

'This is part of our commitment to improve the quality of life of all young people in this country. We know we cannot be complacent, however. There is still much we want to do and we have ambitious goals to reduce teenage pregnancy rates even further.'

Ms Hughes added: 'The figures just published are for teenage pregnancy rates in 2005. Since then, we have had a major review of the strategy and a detailed analysis of the performance of each local authority.

'As a result, each local authority has been required to re-examine its approach and incorporate the lessons from those areas achieving significantly falling rates.

'I want all local authorities to raise their game to achieve the best rates they can by 2010.

'The strategy draws on the best available international research evidence. This has resulted in a multi-faceted approach which includes improving education, supporting parents in talking to their children about these issues, increasing uptake of contraceptive advice by sexually active teenagers and supporting young parents to improve the health and social outcomes for them and their children.'