A CHARITY has called for continued investment in sexual health services amid record low teen pregnancy rates for the north west.

Sexual health charity FPA, formerly known as the Family Planning Association, has welcomed that teenage conception rates have fallen by 51 per cent since 1998.

But the organisation is concerned that research by the Advisory Group on Contraception (AGC) has shown one in six local authorities has decreased spending as part of public health cuts.

In Lancashire, covering Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Rossendale and Ribble Valley, an increased investment of around five per cent has been recorded from 2014/15 to 2016/17.

The likes of St Helens had seen a 25 per cent drop, over the same period, and Bolton’s spending has decreased by around 15 per cent, according to the AGC.

No figures were available, following Freedom of Information Act requests, for Blackburn with Darwen.

Natika Halil, FPA chief executive, said: “While not all local authorities have reduced their spending, many have, and we’re concerned this trend could increase.”

Teen pregnancy rates have dropped by nearly two-thirds in parts of East Lancashire over the past 20 years, the Lancashire Telegraph reported last December.