WE hear all the time that health services and the pension system are under severe pressure because people are living longer than ever before.

But for women in parts of East Lancashire that just doesn't apply.

Female life expectancy in Blackburn with Darwen is the third worst in the country at just 77.6 years - almost three years below the national average and four years under the equivalent Ribble Valley figure of 81.5.

Burnley is little better and Hyndburn, Rossendale and Pendle are all below average.

Now the Home Office has set Blackburn with Darwen health bosses a target to lift the figure by five years by 2010.

What is especially alarming is that while the Burnley figure has steadily risen since the early 1990s Blackburn's has remained static.

People can do a lot for themselves by giving up smoking and taking reasonable exercise, for example walking more instead of taking the bus or car and not spending too long in front of the television.

Following sensible advice, which is widely available these days, to cut out the junk food and eat healthily will also add on extra years.

But poor housing and economic poverty are also inextricably linked with low life expectancy.

Solving these issues means bold political decisions to improve living standards.