A YOUTH drama group is tackling teenage pregnancy with the launch of a theatre production.

Students at King James I Community College were shocked to discover they lived in one of the worst areas for teenage pregnancies.

With the help of a £6,000 grant from the European Union the King James Teen Pregnancy Group has carried out a thorough investigation into the highly emotive feelings involved in the issue.

Drama development officer Stephen Elliott said: "Wear Valley has the highest pregnancy rate in County Durham and County Durham has the highest in Britain and is one of the worst in Europe.

"Ironically it has taken us nine months to get to this stage of the launch. It has been quite an eye opener for the group.''

Some of the research carried out included talking to a teenage mother, looking at the ways other countries tackle the issue and a trip to Ireland to carry out photographic work for the launch.

The project has already beenpraised as one of the best examples of an effective approach to issues behind teenage pregnancy.

The group of nine has performed in front of 19 youth workers from 17 different countries and has been asked to take the drama to Austria.

About 30 or 40 different professionals from the health service and other organisations will attend the launch at the college tomorrow night at 7pm.

As well as a play there will be an exhibition of photographs. The group will then tour schools in the area to bring home the reality of teenage pregnancy and tackle issues such as sexually transmitted infections.

It is not the first time the college has confronted serious social issues through drama. In the past it has looked at bullying, domestic violence, drugs, bogus callers and anti-social behaviour.