DORSET and the New Forest remain among the healthiest places to live in the country, with five areas in the top 10 for women to have a long life.

The government's latest "health map" of England shows that life expectancy across the country as a whole is the highest yet at 76.9 for men and 81.1 for women.

But in East Dorset local authority area, men can expect to live four years longer and women three years longer. Its female life expectancy is the third best in the country and its percentage of smokers and binge drinkers in the area is 10 per cent lower than the national average.

Purbeck has the sixth best female life expectancy, with New Forest, North Dorset and Christchurch taking up eighth, ninth and 10th places.

Bournemouth has the highest percentage of smokers and binge drinkers locally and the New Forest the highest obesity rate at 22.8, one per cent higher than the national average.

Jean Bradlow, director of public health for the county, said: "We are delighted that Hampshire has such good health outcomes and are committed to working with the areas where health outcomes are not as good."

Dr Adrian Dawson, director of public health at Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trust, said: "Reducing health inequalities and helping people live longer, healthier lives is at the core of our business.

"The latest health profiles for Bournemouth and Poole show that against the majority of indicators, including life expectancy, teenage pregnancy and early deaths from heart disease and stroke, local people are significantly better off than the national England average.

"However, we are not complacent and know that there is much more to be done to reduce the inequalities that remain and improve the well-being of local people."

Nationally, early deaths from cancer and circulatory diseases are coming down faster than other parts of the EU. But there is plenty of room for improvement over rising obesity levels, drinking and smoking-related deaths.