Teenagers in Shipley will have the chance to attend a different kind of 'rave' in May - one aimed at improving their health.

Youngsters are being urged to take advantage of the pioneering drive at Shipley Health Centre, which has already had success with a telephone helpline and drop-in sessions.

Now a series of health raves for 14-year-olds aims to take the mystery out of medical matters.

Practice nurse Dilys Bruce, one of the co-ordinators behind the scheme, said: "We were looking at inequality in the health service and found there was under-representation of young people.

"There seems to be a reluctance among young people to go to the doctor for a variety of reasons and we want to address that."

Funding for a telephone line and drop-in sessions has come from the Health Action Zone. There's a free confidential helpline and experts to give confidential advice about any problems relating to health.

Mrs Bruce said both the helpline and drop-in sessions had been well used. The new health sessions will be held at Kirkgate Community Centre for 14-year-olds who want to talk about any health-related issues.

"There will be a team of medical experts to give advice and assistance about any medical issues - it could be about sexual matters, drugs, acne, bullying, or anything else of concern," said Mrs Bruce.

"Our aim is for the service to be customer-led. We want to find out what youngsters want. If they need help that we can't give ourselves, we have access to a wide medical team we can refer them to."

Mrs Bruce will work with health visitor Norma Bartle and GP Maggie Eisner.

The first 'rave' is on Wednesday, May 9, between 4.30pm and 6.30pm. They will run every Wednesday for four weeks. Another series of events is planned for the autumn.

The telephone helpline number is 0800 169 7029. For details ring (01274) 531153.