MEN in East Lancashire are smoking and drinking themselves to death and are among the unhealthiest in the country, a shock survey has revealed.

Blackburn and Burnley are among the worst areas in England and Wales where men are likely to suffer premature death.

In a table of the nation's worst 20 death spots, Burnley is ranked 13th while Blackburn is 16th.

The survey, compiled from dozens of recent health reports, shows men living in the area have the shortest life-spans, averaging 72.3 years.

A staggering 35 per cent of men down more than the recommended 21 units of alcohol a week and nine per cent put away more than 50 units. Thirteen per cent of men said they get drunk every week.

Lung cancer and heart disease were among the biggest killers.

And one in five has high blood pressure, a condition closely related with lack of exercise.

But it's not just medical complaints killing off the region's males - men are more at risk from dying as a result of an accident or crime than women.

Only women in Rossendale fair the worst with the area number 20 in the table of death-spots for females.

The survey was compiled by Men's Health magazine from the Government's Statistics Office reports.

At current rates, it predicts that out of every hundred boys born in industrial areas, only 16 will reach the age of 85.

East Lancashire Health Authority's district health promotional officer, Peter Lewenz, said it was a major problem that could not be fixed overnight. He said: "It's not all down to how much people eat or smoke or drink. Life expectancy has a lot to do with social circumstances, housing and even education.

"The Ribble Valley is a more affluent area than Blackburn and Burnley and people's life expectancy is higher in that part of the region.

"But that doesn't mean people should be moving out of Blackburn and Burnley. There is a north south divide in living and health conditions but moving south of the country doesn't always mean a better lifestyle.

"Personal circumstances do come into it and each individual should always look at what they eat and how much exercise they get.

"Broad strategic developments are needed to try and tackle the problem but it will be a long term fight."

Manchester tops the table of areas where men are likely to die prematurely, followed by Hammersmith and Fulham (one area) and Lambeth. The healthiest areas of the country are Elmbridge, East Dorset, Wokingham and Chiltern.

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