RELIGIOUS leaders and politicians have condemned plans to hand out condoms to under-16s in Bury.

They say it condones under-age sex, is hypocritical and might even be breaking the law.

But Labour leaders have defended the new sex guidelines policy, which allows youth workers to provide contraceptives and oral dams in exceptional circumstances.

They say it is just one option in a wider education programme to help reduce sexually transmitted diseases and the number of teenage pregnancies, of which England has the highest rate in Europe.

However, Father Frank Lawton, co-opted member of the council's executive committee, said the policy was not positive enough. "The safest form of contraception for teenagers is to say no," he said. "Our first responsibility is to train them in relationships. We have to admit we have failed if we have to hand out a condom."

Councillor Wilf Davison, Liberal Democrat leader, said it was not the role of youth workers to provide contraception. And Coun Dorothy Gunther, deputy Tory leader, said that young people were being robbed of their youth.

But their views were opposed by Labour members at Wednesday's meeting (Jan 17).

Coun Cath Platt said: "The reality is that people will die through giving birth too young or through sexually transmitted diseases."

Youth officers told the meeting that the policy would simply put into writing, with clear guidelines, a lot of what was already being carried out.

As the issue is so controversial, it will be decided by full council on January 31.