A NEW centre to tackle teenage health problems will open in Southampton, thanks to a cash boost of more than £200,000.

Pregnant teens, drug or alcohol-addicted youngsters and those simply seeking advice will be able to make use of the new Link centre, in Windrush Road, Millbrook.

The £231,175 grant will be dished out over three years by the Outer Shirley Regeneration Board, which aims to improve the quality of life for people living in the area.

Chairman Sue Fletcher, approving the funding this week, said the new Link would make a big difference to Southampton teenagers.

The money will see the building, currently a youth club and IT centre, extended and extra youth workers employed.

The scheme includes a creche, a young women's health support group, safe-sex education, information and advice and a young people's maternity practice, providing care for mothers under 18.

It's been welcomed by young Millbrook mums, who say the creche will give them a chance to devote more time to learning and relaxing.

Kylee Halford, 19, said: "The new creche will be great because it'll give us some peace and quiet."

Tina Sheath, 21, who has 15-month-old twins called Ethan and Rhys, agreed. She said: "I've been coming here for about two years and it's really helpful."

Millbrook youth worker Martin Watts said:

"A number of surveys have been done over the past few years and they show that young people here want information and advice. Hopefully addressing these issues can have an impact on the rest of their lives."

Southampton has one of the worst teenage pregnancy rates in the country, with more than 200 girls under the age of 18 conceiving babies every year. City health bosses said they needed to halve the rate of teenage pregnancy by 2010.

Building work on the centre is due to start in September and it is expected the doors will open in October.