Doctors and nurses should not be able to tell anyone whether a child has used sexual health services, says a new survey.

More than eight out of ten people (84 per cent), including all those aged under 16, told Brook in Birmingham they should not inform parents, social workers or teachers "unless it's a life or death situation".

Eighty per cent also claimed sexually active children and teenagers were unlikely to seek help if the clinic had to pass information to social workers.

Of the 404 young people - of which 54 were under 16 - who completed the questionnaire, 62 per cent believed confidentiality was the most important feature of the service, followed by "not being judged" according to 17 per cent.

Overall 94 per cent of the under-25s agreed that they felt unable to talk to their parents about sex and relationships and they should be able to gain confidential advice elsewhere.

But seven out of ten respondents disagreed that this would lead young people into having sex earlier and 86 per cent said all school pupils should receive compulsory sex education under the national curriculum.

Penny Barber, chief executive of Brook in Birmingham, said:"Public opinion supports the view that young people should understand how their bodies and emotions function and have access to confidential sexual health services.

"It is a shame the debate about sexual health is often distorted by the minority view that giving young people information leads them into relationships before they are ready.

"All the evidence shows the opposite; the age at which people first have sex and the chances of contraception being used are both increased by good quality sex and relationship education and access to confidential services."

"Too many young people are faced with an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection simply because they don't have access to the services that they need."