A CRITICAL health report should act as a catalyst for "serious change", according to an opposition leader. Last week News Shopper reported how a Department of Health report revealed Greenwich is one of the unhealthiest places to live in London.

Greenwich Tories are worried about the report's findings, which reveal cancer rates and deaths from smoking are worse than the national average.

Male residents in the borough can expect to live until 74 three years less than the national average.

Tory leader Councillor Spencer Drury said: "When you see the facts in black and white it really is shocking.

"This is a stark reminder of the state Greenwich is in compared with other boroughs."

The Eltham north councillor added: "Serious change is needed if residents are not going to suffer further."

Cllr Drury says health, education, crime and housing issues all need to be addressed to make the borough a healthier place.

The figures came from Health Profiles, and were published by the Department of Health for every local authority in the country.

Greenwich Primary Care Trust says it will spend around £1.5m during the next three years to tackle the problem of health inequalities.