PEOPLE in South Yorkshire are still prime candidates for early death from heart disease and Barnsley folk have again been deemed at the highest risk in the region.

Barnsley's heart disease death rate per 100,000 for men under 65 is 58, compared to 50 in Sheffield, 52 in Doncaster and a national average of just 45.

The death rate for women in the same age category is lower across the board, but Barnsley is still top of the county¹s worst first poll. The figures were released this week by the British Heart Foundation and its director of prevention and care Dr Mike Knapton says they will help the organisation channel its efforts into preventative work where it is most needed.

He added: "As heart disease is still the UK¹s single biggest killer we need to continue reminding people of what they can do to reduce their risk." Barnsley Primary Care Trust and the council have been running a Fit for the Future campaign since 2003 to try to improve the poor standard of health in the borough.

The campaign's annual report, published earlier this year, stated: "There is still much to be done in order to increase life expectancy to the national average and to continue to close the health gap between Barnsley and the rest of the country."