A project to bring sex education in Wales into the 21st Century is being piloted by schools in Powys.

The scheme trains sixth form pupils to teach younger children about relationships and safe sex, and aims to promote the confidence to resist pressure to have sex too early.

It is important because it teaches assertiveness

Bethan Harris

Sixth-formers in Newtown High School, are among those trained to give lessons to younger children.

One of the pupils taking part in the pilot scheme, Bethan Harris, said the lessons were about giving self-confidence to the younger pupils.

She added: "It is important because it teaches assertiveness and that covers a huge range of things.

'Confident'

"They come out of it feeling a lot more confident."

Fellow sixth-former Gideon Berends said the lessons differed from the traditional approach to sex education.

He added: "We were just taught about pregnancy.

"But now its all about the emotional side - it's a lot better."

The project, which is taking place across schools in Powys, aims to reduce teenage pregnancies and cases of sexually transmitted diseases, as well as dispelling some of the myths surrounding sex.

Children are being exposed to sexual images in the media

Health professionals and teachers believe that younger pupils are more likely to listen to the safe sex message from their older peers.

The sessions also cover relationships and how to resist pressure to have sex.

The pilot scheme could replace traditional sex education which is now considered inappropriate with the increase in sexual images to which children are exposed through television and magazines.