LOCAL partnerships made up of a range of organisations are being developed to combat poor health.

Tees Health Authority is setting up local strategic partnerships in a bid to tackle illness and disability before they start.

Aimed at bringing health on Teesside up to the national average within 25 years, they will focus on the worst areas. Among their targets will be encouraging lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, and introducing services such as health screening.

The partnerships' role will be outlined at a health authority meeting, on Wednesday, when officials will be told of the area's major problems.

Each year there are 6,000 deaths on Teesside, of which cancer is the biggest cause, making up 26 per cent. Almost as many - 23 per cent - of deaths are from heart disease, and respiratory conditions are also big killers.

A report to the authority states: "Primary prevention needs to be available for all parts of the population. It is possibly best targeted at groups who are most in need of the intervention."