MORE than 700 people in Wyre Forest died prematurely between 2014 and 2016, official statistics have revealed.

According to latest figures from the Office of National Statistics – 752 residents died under the age of 74 from conditions deemed preventable, treatable or both - through timely and effective healthcare or public interventions.

Deaths deemed avoidable include those from health conditions such as heart disease, some cancers, respiratory diseases and type 2 diabetes - where lifestyle and environment may have contributed - and those that could have been prevented such as HIV/AIDS, accidental and self-inflicted injuries, various infections and drug use disorders.

The figures show the rate of premature deaths was 219.5 per 100,000 in Wyre Forest, compared to affluent Chiltern in Buckinghamshire where the avoidable death rate was the lowest at 137.9 and Manchester where it was highest at 388.

For men in Wyre Forest, the death rate was 272.1 (444 deaths) but for women it was considerably lower at 172.7 (308 deaths).

According to BBC analysis of the figures – there was a strong correlation between the rate of avoidable deaths and the level of deprivation in an area.

Wyre Forest ranks 104 out of 326 local authorities for levels of deprivation - with one being the most deprived; while Manchester is one of the most deprived local authority areas in the country - with Chiltern ranking among the least deprived.