A CHESHIRE businessman is campaigning for condoms to be made available in schools across the region.

Simon Cole, managing director of Condom Solutions, from Winsford, has worked in Africa and Brazil and is convinced that de-stigmatising contraception for young people will cut rates of sexually transmitted infections and teenage pregnancy.

However, Cheshire County Council say they have no plans to introduce vending machines, adding that it is a matter for parents and GPs.

Mr Cole said: "Some people might think it's disgusting and that we're encouraging people to have sex.

"But my argument is if that they are going to make the decision to have sex anyway, we need to ensure that they have the tools to act responsibly.

"In the UK alone, more than 90,000 girls under the age of 18 become pregnant every year.

"Part of the reason for this is that condoms are not easily accessible and affordable to all who would like to use them. I want to change this as Britain has become notorious for having the highest teenage pregnancy rate in western Europe."

Mr Cole has said he believes condoms are over-priced and embarrassing to buy at present. But, he says, they should be available in places like off-licences, record shops and places where young people socialise.

He has been working in the condom industry for more than 10 years for companies such as Durex and Condomi and now runs his own company.

But a Cheshire council spokesman said: "We believe that contraception is a matter for pupils, their parents and their GP.

"We do not provide or sell condoms in schools even through school nurses and we have no plans to do so."

This approach was dismissed by Mr Cole.

He said: "Adolescents often don't want to go to their GP because they are worried about confidentiality.

"Likewise, they are embarrassed about getting condoms from family planning clinics or a local chemist.

"I want to get rid of the embarrassment factor."

Mr Cole says that he now plans to individually approach schools in Cheshire to see if headteachers want to take a different approach, or else he will lobby the local authority in the hope of changing their mind.

He added: "Having condoms available in schools may be challenging the status quo.

"But if it takes someone like me to provoke debate and make a difference, then I will have done my job."