Walsall's teen pregnancy rates are falling dramatically

Fewer than 30 conceptions per 1,000 teenagers are taking place now compared to a figure of 67.2 in 1998.

Walsall used to be one of the worst ranked towns for teenage pregnancy, with a conception rate of 46.9 per 1,000 in 2012. In 2014 the rate had dropped to 37.5, but it was still ranked the ninth worst in the country.

However latest figures show that the rate is now just 28 per 1,000, ranking it lower than Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Birmingham when it used to be higher than all three.

Council bosses have put the drop down to their Teen and Toddler Programme which has focused primarily on teenage pregnancy.

Conservative Councillor Rose Martin, who fought to tackle the problem while she was the council's health boss, said: "Our children are more informed and can make better choices."

The figures, provided by the borough's Teenage Pregnancy Operational lead Carol Williams, show that in June 2015 the number of conceptions had dropped to 28 per 1,000. Just a year earlier, in June 2014, it was 39.6 per 1,000.

For comparison, in June last year Wolverhampton's conception rate was 34.1 per 1,000, Sandwell 28.7, Birmingham 28.6 and Dudley slightly lower at 26.5,

Councillor Ian Robertson, chairman of the authority's Health and Wellbeing Board, said: "The fall is due to a combination of things including education, improving awareness, raising self esteem and aspirations.

"More importantly intervening early with those most at risk."