Rutland is one of the healthiest places to live in the country.

The Office for National Statistics and financial services company Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP) came up with the findings after analysing data concerning different health factors in every area such as dementia, cancer, alcohol misuse and adult obesity.

The figures, which showed Rutland to be the 8th healthiest, revealed something of a north-south divide, with Wokingham in Berkshire revealed to be the top town for health.

The unhealthiest of 149 local authority areas in the country's first official national health index was Blackpool, the Daily Mail reported.

Mr Pearson-Stuttard, head of health analytics at LCP, said the index should be viewed as 'an asset to the nation'.

He told The Sunday Times : "The numbers reveal clear and substantial differences across England and should be a wake-up call to the government to deliver on its manifesto pledge to level up regional inequalities.

"While there is some encouragement to be had from slight improvements in measures related to wellbeing and mortality, these have been cancelled out by worsening mental and physical health morbidity.

"These may have deteriorated further as a result of Covid-19."