Britain has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in Europe. The rate for Brighton and Hove is above the national average.

Most of these children are not wanted.

More than half the 500 teenage pregnancies in a two-year period resulted in abortions.

Now eight pharmacists in the city have had special training so they can prescribe the morning-after pill to teenagers.

It will not please pro-life groups and some church organisations who believe it will encourage promiscuity.

But most people in the city will welcome any move that makes teenage pregnancy less likely.

While there are some cases of teenage mothers doing well, the sad fact is that most do not.

The new primary care trust in the city is using the morning-after pill as the last line of defence.

Equally important is educating teenagers about sex and improving the advice they are given.

If teenagers do get pregnant and decide to keep their babies, they also need a high level of support.

No one is saying, least of all the trust, that teenage promiscuity should be encouraged in any way.

But it is vital to take quick action if teenagers think they may be pregnant and do not want the baby.