GIRLS in an East Lancashire borough have one of the shortest life expectancy levels in the country, new statistics have revealed.

Baby girls born in Blackburn with Darwen between 2001 and 2003 are expected to live 77.6 years -- only a few months longer than those born in the centre of Glasgow, which is officially rated the worst in the country.

That compares with a national average of 80.65 years, and 84 in Kensington, London, where women live longest.

The figures show that life expectancy in the East Lancashire borough is increasing at the same rate as in neighbouring authorities -- but not fast enough.

For women, the average age for a baby girl born in the 21st century will be 79 in Hyndburn, 78.1 in Burnley, 79.7 in Pendle and 81.5 in Ribble Valley. In the last decade, life expectancy for women has increased in East Lancashire by around two years.

Blackburn with Darwen men born in the last two years should live to be 74 , while those in Hyndburn should reach 74.8.

Elsewhere, the figures are: Burnley 71.4, Pendle 74.9, Ribble Valley 76.6 and Rossendale 74.4.

Overall, that is an average increase of two to three years when compared with babies born at the start of the 1990s.

The national figure is 73.9 years, meaning all but Rossendale and Ribble Valley babies meet the national average for life expectancy.

The longest life expectancy for baby boys is in East Dorset, which just tops 80.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: "What these new figures show is the need for extra money to be pumped into health services to ensure that all the preventative action possible is taken to help people lead longer lives."