SEX advice has never been more accessible for young people -- this is the message to be boldly displayed on three buses throughout Blackpool and the Fylde.

The brightly-coloured posters will advertise the region's extensive family planning clinics and the various services they offer to all ages.

It was all the idea of family planning co-ordinator Sheila Jefferson, who felt that local people were not always aware of the free service that is available at many clinics in their neighbourhood.

Sheila explained: "We are the specialists in family planning. We offer our clients plenty of time to discuss all the alternatives, all our regular doctors are female and no appointment is necessary at any of our clinics." Vasectomy, psycho-sexual counselling and advice on women's health issues are also on offer.

She went on: "Once people come to one of our clinics they love it. It's a friendly environment, private and highly confidential and the staff give our customers all the time they need to discuss any anxieties or queries they might have."

In conjunction with this advertising campaign, a sexual health adviser for young people has been appointed. Karon Knape is to work closely with the North West Lancashire teenage pregnancy partnership to reduce the number of teenage conceptions and sexually-transmitted diseases.

She said: "We need to help young people to have a positive open view of their sexuality so they need to know the facts about teenage pregnancy and how hard parenting can be and are equipped to deal with the pressures to have sex before they are really ready.

"Research shows that sex education does not encourage them to become sexually active -- in fact the opposite. It gives them a basis of knowledge from which to make positive choices."

There are family planning clinics at Windmill Mews in Blackpool, Fleetwood, Poulton-le-Fylde, Cleveleys, Lytham, St Annes and Kirkham. Under 25s are welcome at Connect Young People's health and information centre on Church Street, Blackpool, and its two satellite centres in St Annes and Fleetwood. For information call (01253) 655315.