PEOPLE in Blackburn die earlier compared to the vast majority of towns in England, according to new statistics.

Average life expectancy for a man is 73 years, 15th worst in the country, while women live an average of 77.7 years, the fifth worst.

A mixture of poor diet and high levels of drinking and smoking -- the chief causes of heart disease and cancer -- are blamed for the results.

In Burnley, men have an average life expectancy of 74.1 years, 327th out of 374 local authority areas, while women are expected to live an average of 78.2 years, 15th worst.

Hyndburn also figures near the bottom of the list, with men living an average of 73.7 years (34th worst) and women 78.5 years (19th worst)

In the more affluent Ribble Valley area, male life expectancy is 76.4 years, 178th out of 374, and female 81.2 years, 144th.

The figures for England and Wales have been compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) based on the 2001 Census.

Towns in the North West feature prominently at the bottom of the list. The worst place nationally was Manchester, which had the lowest life expectancy for both males and females at 69.7 and 76.3 years respectively.

The local authority with the highest life expectancy for men was North Dorset, at 79.6 years. And West Somerset the highest for women at 83.5 years.

The difference in life expectancy at birth between the local authorities with the highest and lowest figures was 9.9 years for males and 7.2 years for females.