YOUNG women at risk of unwanted pregnancy are to be targeted in a new scheme by the NHS in Yorkshire that encourages them to try more secure forms of contraception.

Long acting reversible contraception, or LARC, offers the same level of protection as the daily pill – over 99 per cent – but can last anything from eight weeks up to ten years.

LARC methods include a contraceptive injection, an implant, and the IUD and IUS – small devices which are placed in the uterus.

They can be fitted by trained GPs or at a family planning clinic.

The sexual health campaign will see posters giving advice about what is on offer put up in GPs surgeries, pharmacies, youth clubs and family planning centres.

Rachel Johns, associate director of public health at NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: "We want to encourage more young people to be responsible in their relationships and only start a family when both partners are ready. Young women who start sexual relationships are sometimes unable to incorporate taking the daily contraceptive pill into their lifestyles.

"The two big advantages of LARC methods are that they do exactly what they say - they last a long time and they can be reversed when you decide to start a family."

To find out more about LARC, visit your family planning clinic or GP.

More information is available at www.ruthing.co.uk or for free confidential advice call 0800-28-29-30.