TEENAGE mums are touring schools offering pupils the benefit of their experience.

Under a new initiative set up by Preston Primary Care Trust, the girls aged 15 to 20 are offering pupils some down-to-earth facts on the realities of parenthood from changing nappies to sleepless nights.

The scheme has been driven by eight young mums, funded through the Prince's Trust, after completing a team-building course.

They have developed their own lesson plans, managed the budget for the initiative and even starred in their own video, with their children, performing parental activities.

One of the mothers, Rachel Berry, was just 15 when she discovered she was pregnant. Her boyfriend, Jason Smith, was 17, and the couple knew little about being parents. They now have a six-month-old daughter, Leiana, and are still together.

Rachel, from Deepdale, who works part-time at Space Kitchens, Winckley Square, Preston, said: "It was not planned, but I couldn't go through with an abortion.

"When I found I was pregnant I didn't know what to do and the baby's dad wasn't sure. But we've got through all that and we are still together."

Last term they visited schools in Fulwood, Broughton and Larches, and spoke to 250 children in three months as part of the Peer Education Project.

Teacher at Broughton High School, Woodplumpton Lane, Linda Fearn, said: "Pupils are interested in what they have to say and can identify with them because they are of a similar age."