ABORTION rates for girls under the age of 18 in Warrington are on the increase, according to the latest statistics.

In 2005, some 167 youngsters aged between 15 and 17 became pregnant with almost half, 47.3 per cent, having the pregnancy terminated.

The latest figures, produced by the Office of National Statistics, represent a rise in both the number of pregnancies, 12 more than in 2004, and the percentage which resulted in abortion, up by 3.9 per cent.

Warrington's teenage abortion figures are also above the national average, where 46.9 per cent of pregnancies end in termination.

National figures have decreased slightly for girls aged between 13 and 15, where 57.4 per cent of pregnancies were aborted in 2005.