Girls as young as 13 are accessing contraception services in Bradford, including injections and implants.

The news comes weeks after the T&A revealed that the morning-after pill was to be given free to girls as young as 13 in a bid to slash the number of teenage pregnancies in Bradford.

However, a public health doctor said today that youngsters seeking contraceptive help is the exception rather than the rule.

Young people under the age of 16 are entitled to use contraception devices, including injections, implants and the morning after pill without parental consent, although health professionals do encourage the child to involve an adult for support.

Latest statistics show that nationally about 2,400 girls aged 13 or younger, received the morning-after pill on the NHS last year, while about 400 were given long term contraception.

While local figures are not available, this month sees the start of a new project in Bradford to give the morning after contraception pill to girls as young as 13 through local pharmacies, which will see it become more widely available.

The one-year pilot scheme in the area covered by Bradford South and West Primary Care Trust (PCT) is the latest strategy to be undertaken in the district in a bid to slash the teenage pregnancy rate which, although falling, is still above the national average.

Dr Dee Kyle, Bradford South & West PCT's Director of Public Health, speaking on behalf of the district's four PCTs, said: "Our local sexual health strategy aims to help young people delay early sex through improved sex and relationships education.

"However, it is very important that teenagers who are sexually active have access to contraception and sexual health advice to minimise the risk of pregnancy or sexually-transmitted infections.

"On occasions, teenage girls aged 13 do access contraception services but they remain very much the exception rather than the rule.

"All professionals working in these services follow national guidelines which allow them to assess each girl's individual circumstances and take appropriate action, which may include giving contraceptive advice.

"The guidance makes it clear that where a young person cannot be persuaded to involve a parent in their decision, every effort should be made to help them find another adult to provide support - for example another family member or specialist youth worker.

"The guidance also includes procedures to manage any concerns that the young person is at risk or in a vulnerable position."