People are dying 12 years sooner in some parts of Sussex than others as part of an incredible postcode lottery revealed for the first time today.

Lives of residents in deprived areas are cut short because of health problems including cancer, liver cirrhosis and obesity.

In Littlehampton's River ward for example people have a life expectancy of 70.8 years compared with 83 years in Bramber.

The figures have been released in the annual report of the West Sussex Primary Care Trust.

Statistics also show that the county's obese population has grown by 400 per cent in the past 25 years and alcohol-related deaths are up eight-fold.

Deaths from cancer are also nearly 10 per cent higher in Crawley than in Worthing, the figures show.

West Sussex director of public health and wellbeing Farhang Tahzib said the discrepancies between rich and poor were unacceptable.

He said although the county has one of the healthiest and most affluent populations in England, the benefits had not been distributed equally among all sections of the population.

Dr Tahzib said West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT), West Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and a range of authorities and organisations across the county need to work together to target areas of deprivation in the county and improve their health.

He also said the focus should be on prevention, rather than just cure.

Areas Dr Tahzib wants to see targeted include wards classed as deprived in Adur, Littlehampton, Bognor, Crawley and Worthing, where there are high incidences of alcohol-related illnesses, cancer, smoking and obesity.

He said: "It is a matter for celebration that West Sussex has one of the healthiest and most affluent populations in England.

"Over the last five decades there have been impressive social, economic and health improvements in the county but I am concerned about groups of particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable people who require focused care.

"People living in areas of deprivation are dying younger and living with more long-term illnesses than people living in more affluent areas. This is unacceptable.

"We must live and plan today with tomorrow in mind. I have made a number of recommendations in this report that go beyond just treating people when they are ill.

"I have recommended that individuals, communities and organisations focus on improving outcomes for people and start to look upstream rather than pulling people out of the river when they are drowning.

"Of course we must continue to provide the best possible care, but we need to do more to help stop problems occurring in the first place, especially in disadvantaged areas and vulnerable groups."

Figures released in the report show the obese population has ballooned in West Sussex in the past quarter of a century and the death rate from liver cirrhosis has increased eight-fold in men aged 35-44 and seven-fold in women.

Alcohol misuse accounts for a third of hospital accident and emergency attendances and the suicide rate is above the national average.

Dr Tahzib's role is a joint appointment between the PCT and county council.

PCT chief executive John Wilderspin said: "The appointment of a joint director of public health and wellbeing demonstrates the intention of both the PCT and county council to work together to improve health and well-being and reduce inequalities in West Sussex.

"We will be working together and in partnership with the community to examine the recommendations so we can plan and provide services for the future that best meet the needs of people in every area."

The PCT covers a population of about 770,000 and has a budget of more than £1 billion, making it the fourth-largest in the country.

Copies of the annual report can be found online at www.westsussexpct.nhs.uk. Below is a breakdown of some of the health figures, though more detailed statistics can be found in the report.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Life expectancy for males and females

Adur: male 77.4 years, female 81.4

Arun: male 77.7, female 82.3

Chichester: male 78.8, female 82.7

Crawley: male 79.8, female 81.5

Horsham: male 79.9, female 83.4

Mid Sussex: male 78.6, female 81.8

Worthing: male 76.7, female 80.8.

Hospital admissions for alcohol-specific conditions

Adur: 67 males, 40 females

Arun: 294 males, 143 females

Chichester: 207 males, 96 females

Crawley: 76 males, 45 females

Horsham: 77 males, 49 females

Mid Sussex: 130 males, 74 females

Worthing: 136 males, 54 females

Estimated number of adults who are obese

Adur: 5,201 males, 6,015 females

Arun: 13,063 males, 15,241 females

Chichester: 9,917 males, 11,388 females

Crawley: 8,513 males, 8,819 females

Horsham: 11,249 males, 12,293 females

Mid Sussex: 11,395 males, 12,619 females

Worthing: 8,554 males, 9,905 females

Percentage of 14 and 15-year-olds who regularly binge drink

Adur: 9.8 per cent

Arun: 10.6 per cent

Chichester: 9.8 per cent

Crawley: 7.9 per cent

Horsham: 7.8 per cent

Mid Sussex: 13.8 per cent

Worthing: 11 per cent

Percentage of deaths due to cancer

Adur: 28.7 per cent

Arun: 26 per cent

Chichester: 27.5 per cent

Crawley: 28.9 per cent

Horsham: 25.2 per cent

Mid Sussex: 25.3 per cent

Worthing: 20.5 per cent

Electoral wards targeted as deprived and most in need of improvement

Adur:

Lancing - Mash Barn, Churchill

Shoreham - Southlands

Southwick and Fishersgate - Eastbrook

Arun:

Bognor - Marine, Hotham, Pevensey, Orchard, Bersted

Littlehampton - River, Ham, Wick with Toddington

Crawley: Broadfield North and South, Bewbush, Langley Green

Worthing: Heene, Central, Selden, Northbrook, Durrington