PEOPLE in Winchester are among the healthiest in the country, according to a new snapshot of the nation's health.

Life expectancy in Winchester has risen to an average 79 for men, three years longer than the English average, but there is a big gap between the rich and poor in the district.

Winchester men in the highest income group can expect to live on average four years longer than males in the lowest.

Hart is the district in Hampshire with the highest life expectancy for men (80), while the figure for both Eastleigh and Test Valley is 78.

The average life expectancy for Winchester women is 82 - broadly the same as in Eastleigh and the Test Valley.

The New Forest is the part of Hampshire where women can expect to live longest (83).

This is the second year that area snapshot profiles have been issued by the Department of Health to highlight particular problems for local authorities and health services.

Winchester fares much better than other parts of Hampshire, the South East and England for nearly all 30 health indicators, such as teenage pregnancy and alcohol-related hospital admissions.

Residents tend to lead healthy lifestyles with estimated levels of exercise and healthy eating well above the England averages, with smoking and binge-drinking rates below.

Other figures show GCSE achievement is higher and crime rates lower - though drug misuse is more of a problem in Winchester than Eastleigh.

However, the rate of road-related serious injuries and deaths in Winchester is worse than the national average.

Some 85 people died or were seriously injured on the roads of Winchester last year.

Cllr George Beckett, city council leader, blamed the large geographical size of the district and long stretches of major roads.

He said: "Winchester scores well in the health statistics generally and the apparent anomaly with the road deaths and injuries is probably due to the fact Winchester is a huge district of 260 square miles.

"The M3 and A34 are significant contributors to road casualty statistics, and that would make it appear worse but I would need to see a breakdown of the accident statistics to be sure."

The local area profile shows Winchester has little overall deprivation, but there are pockets of poverty.

The city cente ward of St Luke, including Stanmore, is among two-fifths of most deprived areas in the country, according to the report.

There are 5,520 people dependent on means-tested benefits and 1,420 children living in poverty across the district.

Although early deaths from heart disease, strokes and cancer are lower than the English average, smoking still accounts for 150 deaths a year in Winchester and 170 in Eastleigh.

Jean Bradlow, director of public health for Hampshire Primary Care Trust, said: "Whilst people in Hampshire tend to lead healthier lifestyles than elsewhere in the country, our main priorities remain to reduce smoking, obesity and excessive alcohol consumption and to improve sexual health."