WOMEN born in East Ayrshire have the fourth lowest life expectancy in Scotland, it has been revealed.

Figures released by the National Records for Scotland have shown that at birth, females are expected to live to 79 - two years less than the national average and lower than those in North (81) and South (80) Ayrshire. East Ayrshire’s men are expected to live to 75 compared to the national male average of 76 -level with those in North Ayrshire, but two years less than South Ayrshire’s men.

Across Scotland’s NHS boards, Ayrshire and Arran had the third lowest life expectancy with 76 for men and 80 for women.

Carol Davidson, Director of Public Health at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, said: “Figures released recently show that life expectancy for people living in this area continues to increase, although at a slower rate than in Scotland as a whole. Our aim is not only to increase life expectancy but to extend healthy life expectancy.

“We have many on-going projects aimed at informing people and supporting them to live healthier lives. Our top four priorities for improving public health are reducing alcohol intake, helping people to stop smoking, working to encourage local people to achieve a healthy weight and supporting people’s mental wellbeing. This will bring a range of benefits to them and the area in the future.” And Tim Ellis, chief executive at National Records of Scotland added: “This report shows that life expectancy continues to vary widely across Scotland.

“People living in rural areas, in general, live longer than those in more urban areas.

“Men in the least deprived areas of Scotland may live 12.5 years longer than those in the most deprived areas while women in the least deprived areas could expect to live 8.5 years longer than those in the most deprived.”