FREE swimming has helped increase the average life span of Blackburn with Darwen residents by more than three years.

The borough, along with Burnley and Hyndburn, has long had some of the lowest life expectancy levels in England.

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But new figures released by the Office of National Statistics show it has moved out of the ‘bottom 10’ for males for the first time in a decade.

The average male age at the time of death was 76.8 in the latest figures, for 2011 to 2013, which was the 13th lowest in the country.

Female life expectancy has also increased more rapidly than in other areas, and at 81.2 is now the 25th lowest in the country.

The borough’s overall life expectancy has risen by more than three years since 2001.

Burnley’s improvement has been more modest and the borough now has the fourth lowest life expectancy for men, at 75.6, and the fifth lowest for women, at 80.1.

Hyndburn had the sixth lowest life expectancy for men, at 76.4, while women fared much better, at 81.2.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said residents have become more physically active since since the award-winning Re:fresh initiative was launched in 2008, offering free swimming, badminton and exercise sessions.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “I’m delighted to see this continued good news about life expectancy in Blackburn with Darwen.

“Re:fresh is once again key, encouraging the people we know are least likely to exercise to take up an activity and eat more healthily.

“We are amongst the most challenged authorities in England for health outcomes but this data shows the efforts of the public services in this borough, particularly the clinical commissioning group and the council, to improve life expectancy are making a real difference. This is all the more remarkable given the unfair and disproportionate impact of public sector cuts imposed by national government on communities such as Blackburn with Darwen.”

Dr Chris Clayton, Clinical Chief Officer for Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group, added: “We are not complacent and recognise that there is still a significant amount of work needed to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

“Together with our partners at the council, we are working to join up health and social care services more so that residents receive a seamless and higher quality service. Our ultimate aim is for people to live better and for longer and we will continue to work hard in achieving this goal.”