THE appalling record of unwanted teenage pregnancies in the region will be tackled with a new course at a North-East university.

Northumbria University is to launch The Sex and Relationship Education course which is aimed at teachers, social workers and others who work with young people.

The 15-week course, which is expected to run from September, is in response to a paper from the Department for Education and Skills which said people involved in the care and supervision of young people needed to be better trained on sex and pregnancy issues to advise young people.

The North-East, and in particular Sunderland, has become renowned for having the worst record of teenage pregnancies.

But figures released earlier this month revealed the figure had improved slightly.

Nationally, the number of girls aged under 18 who became pregnant fell from 46 per thousand between 1996 and 1998 to 43.5 per thousand from 1999 to 2001.

Across the North-East the rate dropped from 58 per thousand to 51.4 a fall of 11.4 per cent compared with a national reduction of nine per cent.

Hilary Scarlett, midwifery lecturer at Northumbria University, who will teach on the new course, said: "A lot of teachers feel unprepared to give sex and relationship education in school as they feel it's not their remit.

"But in some cases, young people have no one else to turn to so it's very important that teachers learn how to deal with and advise on this sensitive issue.

"This course is about encouraging teachers to work in partnership with young people to explore the physical and emotional issues associated with developing sexuality within a context of culture, relationship and guidance.''

The course will look at a range of issues such as sexual maturity, safe sex and fertility management, relationships and values, adolescent health and social exclusion and support for young people.

The post-graduate level course will be offered on a flexible basis in the evening or daytime depending on student needs.