High street is ninth healthiest in London

Hornchurch has been labelled the ninth healthiest high street in London by the Royal Society of Public Health.

The society looked at 144 high streets across the capital and ranked each according to the number of healthy and unhealthy businesses.

Collier Row came 50th of the streets examined when ranked from the least to the most healthy, Elm Park placed 56th and Rainham 65th.

Hornchurch High Street has a large number of restaurants but relatively few fast food outlets.

It has several health shops including a Holland and Barrett.

But, despite its ranking the busy street does boast a Greggs, Subway and McDonalds.

The research, which extended nationwide, found that towns and cities in the North and Midlands are likely to have more businesses that may harm public health.

The Society has identified bookmakers, payday loan shops, fast food outlets and tanning salons as having the most negative impact on health.

While, pharmacies, leisure centres, and health services have the most positive impact.

The table is part of the Health on the High Street campaign, which aims to make streets healthier by promoting health while also giving further powers to local authorities in the areas of planning and licencing.