THE deadly toll of unhealthy living in parts of Worcester has been revealed.

Smoking, heavy drinking, bad diet and poor education are just some of the factors which are killing more people in Warndon, Rainbow Hill and Gorse Hill in Tolladine than other parts of Worcestershire.

The death rate in these three deprived wards is 45 per cent higher than in the rest of Worcestershire, according to latest figures announced by the county's Primary Care Trust, which manages the county's health resources.

The rate was 580 per 100,000 people in Worcestershire (2004-06) but in Warndon, Gorse Hill and Rainbow Hill, the three most deprived wards in the city, it was much higher at 840 deaths per 100,000.

The PCT is now spending £2.4 million trying to driving down health inequalities to meet national Government standards, bringing in health trainers based in Gorse Hill, Rainbow Hill and Old Warndon as part of a £180,000 year-long pilot launched later this year.

But not everyone in Warndon thought the cash injection would help when your Worcester News spoke to customers at a Warndon pub yesterday.

Forklift truck driver Chris Lacroix, aged 55, of Grisedale Drive, Warndon, who has 20 cigarettes and four pints a day said he was "shocked" by the figures.

But he added: "I can't see anyone using these health trainers. People just haven't got the time. I think all this is a waste of money."

Warndon-born Michael Jennings, aged 49, of Dent Close, off Wyld's Lane, Worcester, said he had smoked since he was 14 years old and was now smoking 20 cigarettes and drinking four pints a day.

He added: "I think it's a good idea to have these health trainers and I would use them if I was offered the chance as it may help me cut down on my drinking. I would go to the gym if it was cheap enough."

Mike Foster, MP for Worcester, said the figures were stark.

He said: "It's not right that in the 21st century that where you live and what your income levels have been in your lifetime determine how long you live."

Warndon County councillor John Buckley said health inequalities would be discussed at a meeting of the newly formed community forum at the Fairfield Centre in Brickfields next Thursday. He said: "The figures are shocking. The area I represent is one of the more challenging. That's seen by school attendances, anti-social behaviour, drug and alcohol issues."

Stuart Bourne, a consultant in public health at the PCT, said the health trainers should come from the same area as the people they are trying to help and will not be "experts" brought in from outside.

The three health trainers in the city pilot will offer free one-on-one support at clinics throughout the pilot area. Mr Bourne added: "Coronary heart disease is effectively a lifestyle choice caused by smoking, lack of exercise and poor diet."

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