A YOUNG mum who gave birth at 15 has been drafted in to help the Swindon Primary Care Trust teenage pregnancy unit warn youngsters against underage sex.

Emma Page's toddler is now 18 months old and she is only 17.

She has been working on a campaign at the PCT to help it educate youngsters about safe sex.

She advises teenagers to "use a condom and use it properly."

Even though Emma was "shocked" to discover she was pregnant at 15, she decided to keep her child. Her parents and the baby's father helped her cope, she said.

"It was hard even though I'm still with the father. I wouldn't encourage anyone young to get pregnant, but I wouldn't change it for the world."

Emma said being a young mum meant she grew up fast.

"It has made me a lot more mature and it has made my life happier as I have someone who depends on me."

She said her friends lead very different lives to hers.

"They all go out drinking alcohol but I obviously can't do that. I have to be there at my son's beck and call."

Working at the PCT has given Emma confidence and she encourages other teenage mums to pursue their ambitions.

She said: "I can still gain a career even though being a young mum might slow me down.

"I wanted to help get the message across that if you get pregnant at a young age your life is not over. You can still fulfil your dreams.

"Also, I want to educate other people that young mums should not be put under the same umbrella, we are not all slags' and we have aspirations like anyone else."

Emma, who did not want her child or school to be named, hopes to do her GCSEs and become an accountant.

Fran Birch, the teenage pregnancy coordinator at Swindon PCT, said: "Having a teenage parent working with us is very helpful as she has an insight."

She believes Emma is in a good position to advise other teenagers.

"Emma has a good message. Clearly she loves her son to bits, but her message is you can avoid getting pregnant as it is really hard."

Emma's work experience was due to finish today but the PCT wants to extend it.

The PCT has been creating posters and postcards with advice on safe sex.

It encourages teenagers to wait until they are older to have sex but if not to use a condom.

The unit plans to launch a Parentline Plus campaign to help parents talk to teenagers about underage pregnancy.

Teenagers can call 0800 282930 for advice on sex.

Parents can call 0808 8002222