The Priory has opened a Sussex clinic for youngsters struggling to cope with the pressures of teenage life.

It is best-known for providing shelter for addicted and depressed celebrities at its London base where patients are said to have included Robbie Williams, Michael Barrymore and Caroline Aherne.

But it runs centres across the country, including Ticehurst, near Robertsbridge, one of the oldest mental health hospitals in the UK.

Now a unit there has been turned into a 52-bed clinic solely for adolescents.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "We feel there is more demand for it and the hospital has been getting a lot of referrals it just couldn't take.

"The service has also been widened to cover addictions and self-harm.

"There is more pressure on adolescents these days - one of the causes is exams - but there are other social pressures.

"For example there is a real pressure to succeed, such as with competition for university places which is becoming tougher and tougher.

"It can also be a struggle to deal with peer groups.

"People often say youngsters should turn to friends if they have a problem but that's going to be difficult if it's them causing the problem.

"There is also a lot of pressure to be thin which can lead to depression and eating disorders."

Research from accident and emergency wards show 13 in 100,000 15 to 19-year-olds make a suicide attempt every year.

Miss England finalist Racheal Baughan, 22, from Crawley, attempted suicide as a teenager because she was depressed by her appearance.

She was also bullied at school.

She believes there's a need for more services like Ticehurst and said:

"When I was younger there was no one to help me. I remember I was in the medical room once at school and I cried because I was being bullied.

"One of the teachers came in and told me to just get out because I wasn't supposed to be there.

"Bullying, in particular, gets buried under the carpet because schools don't want to get a reputation.

"Being a teenager can be a very difficult time."

The launch of the new clinic coincides with the start of the exam season and comes a week after 15-year-old Tina Dziki took an overdose in the grounds of Dunraven School, south London.

It is believed she committed suicide because of the pressure of GCSE exams.

ChildLine has announced a 50 per cent increase in calls from pupils saying they are under too much pressure.

Chief executive Carole Easton said: "Exam stress affects almost every child at some point in their education and we are hearing from hundreds of children at this time of year who are struggling to cope.

"Tragically a small number who call ChildLine have harmed themselves or have even attempted to commit suicide because they are struggling to cope with the pressure of exams."

ChildLine offers a 24-hour counselling service for children on 0800 1111.