531 abortions carried out in Blackburn with Darwen in 2017

That’s a rate of 18.4 for every 1,000 women aged 15-44 and is in line with 2016.

The rate for the whole of England is 16.5 but ranges from 9.6 per 1,000 women in York to nearly three times that rate in Barking and Dagenham.

The highest rate in Blackburn with Darwen was among women aged 20 to 24.

The lowest was for women aged under 18.

The figures show that 38 per cent of the cases were classed as for a woman who had a previous abortion.

One of the most significant changes at national level in recent years has been a declining rate of abortion in younger women and a rising rate for women in their early 30s.

This is happening in Blackburn with Darwen, where in 2012 the rate for women aged 30-34 was 18.2 per 1,000 and five years later it was 21.4

Dr Kate Guthrie, of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said: “It is very encouraging to see a continuing decrease in the abortion rate for young women under the age of 25, and in particular for teenage girls.

“Meanwhile, abortion rates have been increasing for women aged 30 years and over. This may be due to the increasing number of sexually active women postponing first childbirth until into their 30s, and therefore having more years where contraception is required.”

Most abortions in Blackburn with Darwen were carried out in the first ten weeks of pregnancy, 79 per cent. Nine per cent were done after 13 weeks.

Abortions can be carried out by a surgical operation or by taking a drug. The medical route is more common than surgery in Blackburn with Darwen .

Dr Guthrie said: “The reason for choosing abortion may be different in different pregnancies. Women have to make hard choices within their circumstances at the time.”

She said that spending cuts leading to pressure on sexual health services were a concern.

“Sustained reduction in the public health budgets has led to widespread sexual health service cutbacks.

“It is absolutely crucial for women to have access to effective contraception and sexual health services. This will enable them to take control of their health and fertility by preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.”

In 2017, 189,859 women living in England and Wales had an abortion, plus 4,809 women who were non-residents.

The data shows that just over 60 per cent of those women came from the Republic of Ireland, where a recent referendum resulted in a vote to change the country’s strict abortion laws.

A further 20 per cent were from Northern Ireland, where tight controls on abortion remain and campaigners are lobbying to bring the area into line with the rest of the UK.