Winchester church leaders have condemned a new project to give free condoms to 11 to 15-year-olds.

Reproductive healthcare organisation, Marie Stopes International UK, has set up a website called www.likeitis.org.uk, which claims to talk about sex "exactly as it is".

"Condoms are important in helping to prevent pregnancy and sexually-transmitted infections," says the website. "You may never have seen one before, so why not apply for the likeitis condom card with a condom attached to have a look at one?"

The promotion was set up after a NOP survey claimed that over half of teenagers were unaware condoms could prevent HIV and sexual diseases.

But church leaders expressed concerns over the policy, which they say dishes out an immediate solution without education.

Canon Peter Doyle, of St Peter's RC Church, said: "This increases pressure on youngsters and there's enough of that as it is.

"Unless we have a much more positive approach about the values of the family and the place of sex in a stable relationship, I see no way forward.

"This reduces sexual relationships to a pleasurable pastime, rather than being intrinsically related to a relationship of love."

He added it was "unfair" to leave sex education to schools and felt parents should take more responsibility.

Canon Doyle also identified "commercial motivation" behind the promotion, which is only sending out Durex condoms.

A spokesman for the Winchester CofE diocese said: "The Church wouldn't want to endorse something that was encouraging people to do something which was, by the law of the land, illegal.

"The Church is clear that sex is part of a family relationship and young people should be educated in this way, but that's not to ignore the fact that there's a problem of teenage pregnancy."

Chris Kilby, from Winchester Family Church, said the project created a "drip-drip effect on a culture that says it's OK to be having sex at that age"

He claimed youngsters were effectively being "lied to" about sexual relationships. "We need to help them maintain healthy relationships, working towards future marriage that's going to be fulfilling in every way.

"Sex is great for people to enjoy, but the best context is within marriage. For young people to be almost lied to that the illicit nature of it is going to satisfy them is going to disappoint them.

"There's a far better plan for them, but this is encouraging them to settle for something less than the best."