Derbyshire in top 60 on early deaths

The county was branded as one of the best in the UK, after it was placed 56th out of 150 authorities in a league table of regional variations in early death rates prepared by Public Health England.

According to the data, between 2009 and 2011 there were 256 early deaths per 100,000 in Derbyshire.

Manchester was named the worst area, with 455 premature deaths per 100,000 and Wokingham was top, with only 200 deaths per 100,000.

In Derbyshire, patients with liver disease fared the best, with only 11 premature deaths, making the county 28th out of 149.

For lung disease and cancer, Derbyshire was ranked 62nd, after 22 people and 104 people respectively died prematurely.

With regard to heart disease and strokes, the council was rated 67th, out of 150 local authorities, after there were 63 early deaths.

In total, there were 7,217 premature deaths in Derbyshire, which has a population of 770, 688, from 2009 to 2011.