Oldhamers living life on the edge

THE next generation of Oldhamers can expect not to live as long as people elsewhere in the UK.

The Office of National Statistics says boys born in Oldham between 2011-2013 have an average life expectancy of 77.6 years, girls 81.2. The figures are below the national average of 79.3 for men and 83 for women and the North-West average of 78 for men and 81.8 for women. The North-West has the lowest regional life expectancy.

But the borough isn’t even the worst in Greater Manchester: the city itself has an average lifespan of 75.5 for men and 80 for women. In fact Oldham’s figure is the joint-fourth highest in the city region.