GIRLS as young as 12 will soon be able to get emergency contraceptive pills over-the-counter from selected pharmacists in Sittingbourne and Sheppey. The Swale Primary Care Group (PCG) are expected to approve the plan at a meeting tomorrow (Thursday)with a view to the scheme launching in December.

It will be aimed at 12 to 18-year-olds who fear pregnancy, but do not wish to see a GP or attend a family planning clinic. They will be offered on-the-spot advice and counselling from specially trained female pharmacists who will then be able to give them the so-called morning-after pill, if they deem it appropriate.

But head teacher of Westlands School, Alan Burchett, said as a parent, he would be horrified and as a head teacher, he would advise girls in that situation to turn to their families. He stressed: "I would always advise young girls to discuss such issues with their mother or a close female relative in order to get the family support that's needed in such sensitive matters."

The pharmacists would work to a strict protocol agreed by health professionals. The scheme has already worked successfully in other parts of Kent. Records would be kept, but the PCG says confidentiality is crucial to the scheme's success.

PCG chief executive Helen Medlock said although there was likely to be some opposition, this was preferable to young girls facing unwanted pregnancy or abortions.

Parts of Swale have a teenage pregnancy rate five times higher than the national average.

Ms Medlock said: "This is making sure that all young girls, should they need it, get access to emergency contraception.

"By the time they get to this stage, they will have already had sex and rather than say 'go away, you have done something wrong, it's your problem,' they need support."

Four or five pharmacists in Sheppey and Sittingbourne are expected to take part.

The morning-after pill, a high dose hormonal contraceptive, is currently available free from GPs and family planning clinics and over the counter to over-16s, at a cost of £20.