PLANS to tackle issues that have resulted in a town's death rate being worse than the national average are being considered.

The average life expectancy in England and Wales is nearly 76, but the figure in Darlington is just over 74.

The primary care trust's public health director, Nonnie Crawford, has released the first annual report highlighting the inequalities of health and outlining ways to combat them.

She said: "This is being circulated among about 40 agencies and individuals in order to spur discussions on a wide range of public health issues."

The report contains plans to improve areas such as mental and sexual health and lower teen pregnancies, smoking and heart disease.