A NEW health index has revealed how Oldham compares to other areas of England for everything from child development to access to green spaces.

The index gave the borough an overall health score of 95.4, ranking it 126 out of 149 local authorities.

Oldham has some of the worst rates for child poverty and early years development, according to the official national health index.

The borough however has high scores when it comes to access to affordable housing and green spaces. Figures also reveal that Oldham has low rates of homelessness.

Neighbouring borough Tameside has a score very close to Oldham’s at 95.5, with a similarly low score for child poverty. There are however high levels of personal wellbeing and low levels of anxiety in the area.

Bury meanwhile scored 98.7, with low rates of healthy eating and Rochdale scored 94.2 with high levels of depression. Both areas however have a high number of outdoor and green space with low levels of air pollution.

Bolton scored of 96.8, with birth weights in the area found to be low and child poverty high. The area scored well in the categories of neighbourhood noise and house affordability.

The health index comes after ministers asked statisticians to assess the health of the nation in a bid to measure the effects of government policy on health.

Gathered by the Office for National Statistics and financial services company Lane Clark & Peacock, the scores combine health factors in every area, including dementia, cancer, alcohol misuse and adult obesity.

The index has uncovered a stark north-south divide with southern areas filling up the top spots for the healthiest places.

Wokingham was named the healthiest place in England with a score of 110, while Blackpool has been branded the unhealthiest with a score of only 86.

Richmond upon Thames follows Wokingham with 107.7, and Windsor and Maidenhead come in next with scores of 106.5. Hull meanwhile scored just 91, followed by Stoke-on Trent with 91.4.

Mr Pearson-Stuttard, head of health analytics at LCP, 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.”