YOUNG people will be able to receive text messages with advice about contraception and sexually transmitted infections amid efforts to stem the UK's growing sexual health crisis, it was announced today.

The texts will include information such as what methods of contraception are available and where young people can get them.

They will also list symptoms of sexual diseases, such as unusual bleeding, burning, rashes and itching, pointing out that many people will have no symptoms but still be infected.

The service has been launched by charity Brook, which provides sexual health advice and contraception to under-25s.

The latest figures show that STIs rose by 4% last year, but since 1995 the rate has increased by 57% - from 449,666 to 708,083 cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Infection

Infections such as chlamydia, often called the silent infection because it can have no symptoms, soared by 193% between 1996 and 2003, with around 85,550 cases diagnosed in England alone in 2003.

To access the new texting service young people should text BROOK HELP to 81222 and will be sent a menu of options to select from.

They will then be sent automated information on sexual health topics as well as details of their nearest young people's sexual health services.

Sent texts are charged at the usual rate set by the mobile provider.

Jan Barlow, chief executive of Brook, which is marking its 40th anniversary, said: "Our new texting service will mean more young people have the facts literally at their fingertips, giving them an alternative to our existing confidential online and helpline enquiry services.

"Technology has come a long way in the 40 years since Brook was established, and we aim to make the most of those changes.

"Attitudes have changed too since the days when it was practically impossible for unmarried people to get contraception, but the UK still faces serious sexual health challenges.

"We have higher rates of teenage pregnancy than anywhere else in Western Europe.

"Sexually transmitted infections are on the increase, and young people are particularly likely to be affected by the most common infection - chlamydia.

"In these circumstances it's staggering that whether you get any decent education about sex and relationships depends on where you happen to live."

Compulsory

Ms Barlow called for all young people to receive comprehensive sex and relationships education as a compulsory part of the National Curriculum.

"This, combined with easy access to free and confidential sexual health services, is absolutely key to bringing down rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections," she said.

More than 17,000 young people contacted Brook's young people's information helpline and online service in the year 2003/04.

Visits to its centres increased by 14% to 106,829, with 16% of visits involving giving out emergency contraception - a slight drop on the previous year.

The number of young women visiting the centre who were pregnant was 7% - the lowest figure since statistics began to be collected in 1982.