PREGNANCY rates amongst the district's teenagers have fallen to their lowest ever level.

Latest figures show that in 2015, there were 22.3 conceptions per 1,000 girls aged under 18 – compared to 27.2 the previous year and 51.6 in 2005.

The data, from the Office for National Statistics, continues a downward trend stretching back many years – the figure has dropped by more than 60 per cent since 1998.

Bradford district now has the second-lowest rate in West Yorkshire and is only slightly above the England and Wales average of 21 conceptions per 1,000.

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council's deputy leader and portfolio holder for health and social care, welcomed the continued fall.

"This is great news for a wide range of organisations across the district which work together and with teenagers to achieve these results," she said.

"Teachers, health practitioners, youth workers, carers and parents have all taken the responsibility to ensure our teenagers get the right support and advice.

"Teenage pregnancies can have a profound impact on the life chances of the teenagers and any children they may have. Improving the aspirations and life chances of the next generation is one way we can further improve teenage pregnancy rates in the district.

"It is everyone's responsibility to make sure young people also have the confidence to have open and upfront discussions so they make the right choices and to help them feel comfortable to ask for help and information."