WORCESTERSHIRE'S mortality rate from avoidable causes has been revealed in new figures.

And BBC analysis shows nationally a clear link between people living in the poorest parts of the UK and premature death.

An avoidable death is classed as people under 75 dying from heart disease, some cancers, respiratory conditions and type 2 diabetes.

In Worcester, there were 596 avoidable deaths between 2014 and 2016, a rate of 225.1 per 100,000 people.

The number of deaths is split 368 men, and 228 women.

Meanwhile in Malvern during the same period there were 492 deaths, split 274 men and 218 women.

The rate for Malvern is 176.6 per 100,000.

And in Wychavon there were 725 death, split 436 men and 289 women, with a rate of 173.9.

In comparison, Manchester came out worst with an avoidable death rate of 388 per 100,000 people, while Chiltern in Buckinghamshire had the lowest rate at 137.9.

In deprived area rankings Worcester came 79 with Malvern was at 175 - when first is the most deprived area, and 211 is the least deprived, according to the English Indices of Deprivation.

In response to the figures the Department of Health and Social Care (DoH) said more than £16bn was being invested in local government services to tackle public health issues in addition to free NHS health checks and screening programmes.

It also offers a free flu vaccination programme, a national diabetes prevention programme, a childhood obesity plan and a tobacco control plan.

A DoH spokesman said cancer survival was at a record high, with smoking rates at an all-time low.

The spokesman added: "“The number of deaths can fluctuate each year, but generally people are living longer."