TEENAGERS at Tredegar Comprehensive found out what it is to like to be pregnant or a parent.

Year 9 pupils have all been taking part in the 'motivate' project, which is designed to help 14-year-olds develop awareness, decision-making and target-setting skills.

Both boys and girls got the chance to try on empathy bellies to discover what it is like to carry a baby and were able to take computerised babies home with them.

The "baby think it over dolls" are designed to give youngsters an unusual insight into the realities of being a parent.

Deputy headteacher Jeff O'Reilly said the pupils had greatly enjoyed the experience.

"It was interesting to see them coming into school ashen-faced after a night with one of the babies," he said.

"This was very much the practical side of the project."

The pupils also took part in a range of other activities over the week.

The drug awareness experience The Event, facilitated by Gwent Police, and Go For It, a self-awareness programme financed by the Lottery, were also at the school along with a study on alcohol misuse and first aid and life-saving courses.

A film was being made about Tredegar with the help of a local producer Peter Watkin-Hughes, and it is intended the completed film will be broadcast on the BBC website, and possibly on BBC2W.

There was also a forum with the members of the School Council, who got the chance to ask questions of Blaenau Gwent MP Llew Smith, Chief Superintendent Ian Johnston of Gwent Police, Blaenau Gwent chief education officer Brett Pugh, director of lifelong learning John Pearce and Maurice Padfield, of Pay As you View.

The students questioned them on issues such as drink and drugs, unemployment and the lack of facilities in the area.

Mr O'Reilly added that 172 pupils had taken part in the motivate event.

He thanked everyone who had supported the successful project, and particularly Gwent Police.

* Last week, an Argus special investigation revealed that Blaenau Gwent has the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Wales, with just under one in ten under-18 girls in the county borough falling pregnant.

Caerphilly has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancies, with both Torfaen and Newport also above the Welsh average.

* In the picture: Wearing empathy bellies are, from left, Ryan Ingles, Kaye Holifield and Lewis Brownhill, all 14.