Sex education should begin as soon as children start primary school, doctors said yesterday.

Members of the British Medical Association (BMA) voted for the move in a bid to tackle the UK's high rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Delegate Emily Finnigan told the BMA conference in Edinburgh: "It is obviously inappropriate to talk to six-year-olds about contraception and sexually transmitted infections.

"However, we should be encouraging them to grow up into individuals who respect themselves and others."

But Dr Shreelata Datta said in Germany, which has one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates, sex education began at around 10 or 11.

Members voted 54.6% in favour of sex and relationship education commencing at primary school entry.

There was also demand for more action to tackle alcohol abuse. Doctors backed legislation to stop supermarkets discounting liquor and said graphic images should be displayed on the side of bottles to deter excessive use.

Complementary therapies also sparked debate, with the BMA agreeing to seek more validated research on their safety and efficacy.

A motion was agreed which said doctors should be able to train to deliver therapies where there was evidence of benefit, but the use of NHS cash to fund unregulated treatments should be banned.