Morning-after pill free for holiday season

The morning-after pill is being offered free to women who request it in an attempt to reduce unwanted pregnancies over the Christmas party season.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) said it hoped women would order one of the pills to keep at home in case they had unprotected sex. The scheme was immediately condemned by anti-abortion organisation Life.

Spokeswoman Michaela Aston accused the BPAS of "anticipating and encouraging unwise sexual behaviour". But Tracey Forsyth, BPAS lead contraception nurse, said the opposite was true. "Making sure you have a back-up to help prevent an unwanted pregnancy is making sure nothing is left to chance," she said.