Bradford children could soon take part in a controversial sex education course which encourages pupils under 16 to experiment with oral sex as part of a drive to cut rates of teenage pregnancy.

The Government-backed 'A Pause' course, run by Exeter University, aims to reduce promiscuity by encouraging pupils to discover "levels of intimacy," including oral sex, instead of intercourse.

The scheme trains teachers to discuss various pre-sex "stopping points" with under-age teenagers. It forms part of efforts to tackle Britain's teenage pregnancy rate, the highest in Western Europe. More than 100,000 children are now taking the course at one in every 30 secondary schools.

The project is backed by the Government's health and education departments and is funded by health and local authorities.

Discussions are now taking place between health professionals, Education Bradford and other partners on how to introduce the programme in Bradford's schools.

A spokesman for Education Bradford said: "A Pause is one programme the DfES is recommending nationally and it is being considered by Bradford, along with other relationship education programmes."

Councillor Ralph Berry, Bradford Council Labour group's education spokesman and former chairman of Bradford Health Authority, said sex education programmes that could communicate directly to young people about the issues were needed.

He said schools had to make sex education issues available but no parent could be forced to have their child involved.

Coun Berry added: "Parents have to be aware of the content of these programmes, as do teachers."

Coun Berry, who is a governor at Grange School, said that while such sex education programmes were needed, they had to take into account the appropriate context. But he said the issues could not be ignored.

Bradford Council's executive member for education, Councillor David Ward, said: "There will be a consultation process, involving headteachers, governors and parent governors where we can deal with this issue in an informed and mature way."

Claire Whiteley, teenage pregnancy co-ordinator for Bradford, said: "It is important to inform young people about the choices they have in relationships, help them resist peer pressure and give them the confidence to make informed decisions about the relationships in their own lives."

Derek Simmonds, a manager in the Health Development Service in Bradford, with responsibility for sexual health, said: "Effective relationships and sex education in schools is key to reducing teenage conceptions."