TWO East Lancashire MPs have called for urgent action to cut the appalling death rate in the area from heart disease and strokes.

Rossendale and Darwen's Janet Anderson and Pendle's Gordon Prentice are horrified that in the last two years the diseases claimed 160 lives in the East Lancashire Health Authority area.

They are calling for a "major effort to reduce the threat".

But both said they were determined to turn into reality their election promises to make East Lancashire a healthier place for all.

They said the Government would produce a new strategy to improve public health in the next few weeks with a special green paper asking for comments and views.

Mrs Anderson said: "I want to make sure the people in East Lancashire have their say about what they think of the proposals so that our health needs are reflected in the final plans that the government puts forward."

Mr Prentice said: "One area where we need to concentrate our efforts is the number of deaths from coronary heart disease and stroke.

"Over the past two years, no fewer than 160 people in the area covered by East Lancashire Health Authority were killed by CHD and stroke.

"It needn't be like this. We need to get that number down and we can get it down."

The two MPs promised to let local people know exactly what was in the green paper. They would then ask people to write in with comments to be passed on to the health department.

Mrs Anderson said: "Only that way can we get the best possible result for our constituents."

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