EAST Lancashire had one of the worst health records in Europe and was eating itself to an early grave, according to a survey out today.

The major study carried out for the Co-op claimed that smoking, heavy drinking and lack of exercise were to blame for the North West's poor health record.

Consumption of fruit was said to be the lowest in the country while other healthy foods were also well below the national average.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.