SHOCKING Government figures have revealed that Halton has some of the highest rates of lung disease in the country.

Statistics released by the Department of Health show that the borough has the sixth highest level of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the whole of the UK.

The statistics show 2.2% of the population in the area covered by Halton and St Helens PCT has been officially diagnosed with the incurable condition - which claims the lives of 30,000 people a year in Britain.

The high numbers are in stark contrast to other parts of the county, with West Cheshire and Central and East Cheshire both having a rate of 1.5%.

COPD is an umbrella term for a range of lung conditions ranging from chronic bronchitis to emphysema.

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