A PUBLIC health boss has warned that many Lancashire residents aged between 39 and 47 face an extra year in work before they get their state pension and they may not survive to enjoy it.

Last week Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke announced the rise in the pension age to 68 will be phased in between 2037 and 2039, rather than from 2044 as originally proposed.

Six million people now aged between 39 and 47 will have to wait a year longer than they expected to get the state benefit.

Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, Lancashire County Council public health director has warned that some poorer local people may not reach 68 or attain the age in healthy to enjoy their pensions.

He said: “Although people’s life expectancy has increased substantially over recent decades, there are signs that this is slowing down in some parts of the county.

“Our focus is on improving people’s ‘healthy life expectancy’ - the amount of time people can expect to live in good health.

“There are gaps in healthy life expectancy between poorer and more affluent parts of Lancashire. In some areas people’s healthy life expectancy is below the age of 68. “

The county council provides public health services to 12 boroughs including Burnley, Hyndburn., Ribble Valley, Pendle, and Rossendale.

Cllr Mustafa Desai, Blackburn with Darwen council health boss, said: “Locally there is a strong need for health and care services to invest in prevention and support for people to live long and healthy lives for as long as possible.”

Dr Karunanithi said:“We want to address a range of issues that affect people’s health at every stage of their life.

"This includes during the early years to ensure they are ready for school, are able to have a healthy work and family life and to increase their chances of living happily following retirement and into older age.”