More than 20bn texts were sent last year on the main networks

With virtually every youngster using mobile phones, Ceredigion-based nurses Tina James and Sandra Williams decided it was the ideal way to offer instant help - even when they are not in school.

A pilot scheme based at Cardigan Secondary School will until July allow pupils to text their school nurse between 0900 and 1800 GMT from Monday to Friday.

The aim of the project is to let youngsters, who often don't want to face adults face to face, discuss their health problems or concerns.

We've had more than 30 calls in the first three weeks, varying from family planning issues to dealing with spots and waste management Tina James, school nurse

This could be because they are embarrassed or because they want information before the nurse's next visit to the school.

An information card has been given to all 800 pupils.

Message sender

The card tells pupils how to contact the nurses and provides information about websites that deal with health issues.

The nurses aim to answer every text message on the same day and if further advice is needed then we will refer the message sender to the school nurse.

"We've had more than 30 calls in the first three weeks, varying from family planning issues to dealing with spots and waste management," said Tina James.

"The advantage of this scheme is that it is private and we don't know who is on the other side of the text.

Nurses can be contacted at any time during the school day

"We also have a policy of how to deal with people who try and misuse the scheme."

Lynwen ap Gwynedd, a Welsh teacher at the school, said mobile phones were not usually welcomed in school.

"But at Cardigan school pupils are being encouraged to use their phones if they want to contact the nurse," she added.

A Ceredigion and Mid Wales Health Trust spokesman said it would not replace the traditional nursing service for schools.

If successful, it could be extended to other schools in the county.