Sam Reeves Hundreds of Scots children under 16 contracted sexually transmitted infections last year, official data revealed yesterday.

Sam Reeves

Hundreds of Scots children under 16 contracted sexually transmitted infections last year, official data revealed yesterday.

Figures showed 181 youngsters were infected with chlamydia. Sixty-two tested positive for genital warts, 13 contracted herpes and 10 were diagnosed with gonorrhoea.

STI rates have soared in recent times and data released in July showed a 6% jump in infections across the UK.

Chlamydia saw the biggest rise in under-16s. The infection is the most common treatable STI and is known as the "silent epidemic" as it often shows no symptoms but can cause infertility if left untreated.

The Information and Statistics Division did not publish figures concerning fewer than four people to prevent identification of individuals.

The figures come a day after the Scottish Government announced plans to increase the number of drop-in clinics where youngsters can get advice on sexual health matters. Ministers want to increase access to sexual health services in remote and rural areas of the country.

There are already a number of schools where youngsters can get help and advice, along with free condoms and pregnancy tests.

No schools provide youngsters with the morning-after pill emergency contraception, and a government spokeswoman stressed there were no plans to change this.

LibDem health spokesman Ross Finnie branded the figures "astonishing" and called for urgent action from ministers.