A 15-year-old girl, believed to be the UK's youngest mother of twins, is planning to write a book about her life to warn other teenage girls of the perils of under-age sex.

Donna Dowman, 15, gave birth to daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, at the age of 14 after conceiving at 13.

The Lincoln schoolgirl is now studying at home to improve her English skills before writing the book. She also wants to pass an access course so she can go to North Lincolnshire College to study dance and drama.

Since having the twins, she has been in and out of foster care, moved around the country to escape an abusive ex-boyfriend and found shelter in a caravan and a women's refuge.

"I'm working hard with my home tutor to get a diploma in the basic subjects like maths and English," she said.

"It's hard work because I've missed out on three years of my education. But I'm determined to write this book.

"I want to tell young girls to think hard about what they're doing before sleeping with someone."

Donna also wants to become a singer or a dancer and has already secured an audition with an amateur dramatics society.

Martin Danby, a friend of the family from St Giles, believes Donna will make a success of turning her life around.

"She's had an incredible run of bad luck and could do with a break," he said. "I'm very proud of Donna. She's had to grow up physically and emotionally over the last couple of years.

"When her children are old enough to go to school, she will be at the age when she can start her career while other women are starting a family."

Donna's mother, Sandra, is prepared to look after her grandchildren while Donna pursues her dream.

She said: "We are trying to give her the balance of being a mother and being a 15-year-old girl.

"She's got the rest of her life ahead of her and I want to help give her the chance to do what she wants to do."

This story first appeared in the Lincolnshire Echo

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