Figures reveal Redcar and Cleveland has the lowest rate with 48.1 per 1,000 teenagers getting pregnant.

Hartlepool has the highest figure in the Tees Valley, 68.2 per 1,000, which is still a fall of more than 9.9%. In Stockton the figure is 51.3.

Health chiefs say the success is due to extra sex and relationship classes for children and a free condom scheme.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's cabinet member for social services, Valerie Halton, welcomed the news.

Sexual health

But she said: "Of course these figures still need to be improved, but we are carrying out a great deal of very good work to tackle the issue, through all school ages - from primary to secondary."

The latest figures are compared to rates recorded in 1998 - a fall of 17.5% in seven years in Redcar and Cleveland.

In Middlesbrough the rate is 57.9 in 1,000 women which is a drop of 13% in the same period.

Other successful initiatives include weekly drop-in sexual health sessions at Prior Pursglove College in Guisborough and Redcar and Cleveland College.

A condom distribution scheme has also been running in youth centres, colleges and services for young people on Teesside.