A HEALTH and information centre aimed specifically at the under-25s has opened in Blackpool.

Connect, based in Church Street, offers advice on various subjects from family and relationship problems to contraception and support in pregnancy.

Staffed by centre co-ordinator Marie Simpkin and a team of specialist community trust nurses, it has been set up by Fylde Community Health Trust with the aim of creating as relaxing an atmosphere as possible.

A full, free family planning service is provided on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-6.30pm, while general information, advice and support is available on Mondays between noon and 2.30pm and Saturdays 10am-12.30pm.

Blackpool's Youth and Community Service offers counselling sessions on bereavement, abortion and relationships.

There are even training courses for babysitting.

Marie Simpkin commented: "It's not up to us to tell youngsters what to do, simply to provide the information so they can make the choices for themselves.

"There is such pressure on young people today, but hopefully we will give them the support to resist going with the crowd and do what is right for them."

Community Health Trust chief executive Philip Scully added: "Connect is not the ordinary run-of-the-mill kind of service for a health trust to provide, but I am convinced we should be enabling young people to take responsibility for their own well-being at as early an age as possible."

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