By Ellis Stephenson and local democracy reporter Dean Kilpatrick

Teenage pregnancy rates are at their lowest in Kent since records began.

Latest figures released by the Office for National Statistics reveal 500 girls under 18 fell pregnant in Kent in 2016.

In the Medway Towns, which is recorded separately, 108 pregnant youngsters conceived, making the total figure for the county 608.

In 1998 - the year records began - Kent had 1,015 under-age expectant mums and there were 212 in Medway, making a total of 1,227.

Within the county, the area with the highest rate of teens expecting children in 2016, after Medway, was Swale with 69, followed by Thanet with 63.

There were 51 pregnant under 18s in Maidstone, 47 in Dover, 45 in Canterbury, 44 in Ashford and 41 in Shepway.

Gravesham had 35, Dartford and Tunbridge Wells saw 29, Tonbridge and Malling 26 and there were 21 in Sevenoaks.

Andrew Scott-Clark, Kent County Council’s director of public health, said: "We are pleased that the rates of teenage pregnancy are reducing across Kent and we are determined to reduce this further still, working closely with our partners and providers to address this issue and support young people.

"We commission a number of services across the county to support teenagers in making informed decisions about their sexual health, relationships and pregnancy.

"This targeted approach includes education programmes, dedicated outreach services and the use of innovative technology such as a free condom distribution scheme which gives young people improved access to sexual health information and free condoms.

"It is available free to all 13 to 19-year-olds and there are sites offering it across Kent.

"Young people can also seek advice in the sexual health services, youth clubs and from the school health service.

"Emergency oral contraception (EoC) is available free of charge to women aged under 30 years who have had unprotected sex or failed contraception and are at risk of pregnancy; a number of pharmacies across Kent currently offer EoC."

"We commission a number of services across the county to support teenagers in making informed decisions about their sexual health" - Andrew Scott-Clark

In Medway there were an average of 22 pregnancies for every 1,000 girls aged 15, 16 or 17 in the area in 2016.

Cllr David Brake, portfolio holder for public health, said: "The number of teenage pregnancies in Medway has been falling for some time as young people have more access to information and contraception.

"Officers in public health and children’s services have been working together to educate young people about sexual health, contraception and the support available to them.

"In addition, there are now more accessible sexual health services including a sexual health clinic in Clover Street, Chatham, which offers free contraceptive, as well as advice and support on a range of issues."

In England, there were 17,014 under 18s falling pregnant two years ago.

To find out more about Kent County Council's help and information service visit www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health.