Teenage pregnancies in Redbridge are going down but are still higher than the national average, according to the latest figures.

Office for National Statistics data shows the teenage conception rate fell from 34.7 per 1,000 girls in 2009, to 30.4 in 2010.

There were 153 conceptions in the year and more than 63 per cent of cases ended in abortion.

The rate for under 16s is 5.4 per 1,000 girls – the lowest in London.

Teenage pregnancy “hotspots” in Redbridge include Hainault and Goodmayes wards, both with a rate of 52, Loxford at 48, Clementswood at 45 and Chadwell at 42.

The national average is 35.4 per 1,000 girls.

Initiatives to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies in Redbridge include sex education at schools, free contraception, sexual health clinics, personal advice from Connexions and internet resources.

From April 2013 the council will take over sexual health services from NHS North East London and the City.