OXFORDSHIRE is falling behind the rest of the country in tackling teenage pregnancy, the latest figures have revealed.

Health workers, however, remain hopeful that new initiatives including better sexual education and widespread morning-after pills to girls under 18-years-old will combat the rise.

The latest Government figures reveal that between 1998 and 2004 there was an increase in teenage pregnancy in Oxfordshire, against the national trend of a 11 per cent reduction.

In 1998 3.1 per cent of girls aged between 15 and 17 in the county became pregnant while in 2004 the rate rose to 3.4 per cent.

Overall, however, Oxfordshire's teenage pregnancy rate is below the national average of 4.2 per cent for the same age group.

This week Government ministers called for a revised teen pregnancy strategy in areas such as Oxfordshire struggling to improve the records.

But Chris Etheridge, Oxfordshire teenage pregnancy co-ordinator, said improvements have already been put in place and there was a drop in teenage pregnancy between 2003 and 2004.

Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust and Oxfordshire County Council are working to expand the accessibility of free morning-after pills, working with vulnerable groups, as well as within schools on sexual health and relationship education, compiling teenage feedback and making young people more aware of different types of contraception.

There are currently 45 pharmacies in the county which supply the morning-after pill to teenagers.

"I am optimistic with everything we have put into place that we will continue with a downward trend," Mrs Etheridge added.

A new Government strategy, launched last week to tackle Oxfordshire's and other areas poor records, is aimed at tackling the underlying causes of under-18 conception, including advice to parents to talk to their children more about sex and sexual relationships The strategy also aims to give those young people judged likely to become pregnant better sex education and access to contraception.

Social Exclusion Minister Pat McFadden said: "The message for young people should be one of prevention, but they should be made aware of access to contraception if there is a risk of teen pregnancy."