Four-year-olds could be taught sex education under plans to cut teenage pregnancy rate

They are calling on the Government to ensure that advice on relationships, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases is compulsory in all primary and secondary schools.

It is the latest campaign aimed at cutting Britain's teenage pregnancy rate, which remains among the highest in Europe despite repeated attempts by ministers to reduce it.

Early awareness: But critics say it could mean children are 'sexualised' too young

At the same time, sexually transmitted diseases are becoming increasingly prevalent among youngsters, according to the most recent figures.

A group of MPs led by Chris Bryant, parliamentary aide to Harriet Harman, the deputy Labour leader, says that the solution is to educate children more about sex education from a much earlier age.

Currently all pupils are taught the basic biological facts about human reproduction but they do not learn about the emotional aspects of sexual relationships.

The MPs claim that this is not enough and that children should be given relationship advice 'in context' if they are to make informed decisions about when to have sex.

The MPs have written a letter demanding the law must change, which has also been signed by sexual advice charities.

In today's Daily Telegraph, they say: 'We call on the Government to guarantee appropriate sex and relationship education in every primary and secondary school by putting personal, social and health education on a statutory basis as part of the national curriculum.

'International evidence suggests that high quality sex and relationship education helps young people delay their first sexual experience and leads to lower teenage pregnancy levels.'

But critics claimed that such lessons would mean children would be 'sexualised' at too young an age.

The Family Education Trust, a campaign group, said there is 'no evidence' that starting sex education at the age of four would reduce the teenage pregnancy rate.