WOMEN in Brooklands ward in Romford are dying 7.4 years earlier than those in neighbouring Mawneys ward, new figures show.

An annual report from the Department of Public Heath shows that women in Mawneys have a life expectancy of 85.9 years while those in Brooklands can expect to live 78.5 years.

Havering Cllr Clarence Barrett said: “I am really surprised by the figures.

“It’s quite a big concern that just a few miles can result in such a big overall difference of life expectancy for women.”

The figures, which break down life expectancy in the different wards in Havering, also show that men in Mawneys can expect to live to 80.3 while men in Brooklands will, on average, reach 74.1.

Health bosses argue the reasons for the gap is because Brooklands has a higher level of smokers, more people with obesity and they are less active.

Chairman of Brooklands Residents’ Association, Eamonn Mahon, said: “I am a bit surprised by the figures and I do not really understand why Brooklands is worse than the other wards in Havering, but living in the area and speaking to the people who live here, it always seems that people are neglected and we are always the last to get anything done.”

The figures show that the average life expectancy for men in Havering is 77.7, just above the national average of 77.3.

Women live to 81.6, the national average is 81.5.

The statistics were released by NHS Havering.

Cllr Barrett argues that problems with raising the life expectancy in Brooklands could now be made even more difficult after plans to close the accident and emergency department at King George Hospital, Goodmayes.

He said: “They need to concentrate on raising the life expectancy in Brooklands but the closure of the accident and emergency department at King George Hospital will have a detrimental effect on these figures.”

A spokesman for NHS Havering said: “There are many factors that can contribute towards health inequalities, including income, lifestyle choices and access to health services. Reducing these inequalities is one of our strategic goals.

“We continue to work hard to address them, starting healthy food cooking classes and opening the walk-in centre on the former Mardyke estate.