A group for teenage mothers is being set up in one of the city's most deprived areas to offer hope and support to young mums.

Positive Parents will start next month and will be run by volunteers Ruth Akanwo and Jenna Alty, who were themselves both single teenage mothers.

The pair said that as Ribbleton has the highest teenager mother rate in Preston, they wanted to help others get the help and support they need.

Positive Parents will meet every Monday at the Sure Start building in Ribbleton Hall Drive for young mums up to the age of 25.

Ruth Akanwo, 22, of Hatfield Road, who has a four-year-old son, Curtis, said that when girls fall pregnant they feel it's the end of the world.

She said: "We have given the group the name of Positive Parents because we want to get the message across that having a baby is not the end of the world, it's just the beginning.

"It's about empowering young mothers to help them get back into education.

"When you have a baby you think it's just you and the same four walls, but it doesn't have to be."

Jenna Alty, 20, also of Hatfield Road, whose son Kieron is 19 months old, added: "We are going to get people in to talk about things, like healthy eating and sleeping patterns."

She said they are hoping to operate a buddy buddy system so that mothers can look after one and other.

"Sure Start has helped us a lot and we are wanting to give something back by setting up this group," she added.

The first meeting will be on Monday, November 7, 1pm-3pm at Sure Start, Ribbleton Hall Drive, Ribbleton, Preston.