Hartlepool has had the biggest fall in life expectancy in the UK

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says the average age at which men are dying fell by 1.5 years between 2012 to 2014 and 2015 to 2017, to 76.1 years.

In Gloucester, Dundee and Norwich, the average age fell by 1.4 years, to 77.6 years, 73.9 years and 78.3 years respectively.

Blackburn with Darwen and Southend-on-Sea ranked poorly for women.

Of the 389 local authorities ranked by the ONS, 19 areas experienced a significant increase.

London Borough of Camden ranked first across all local authority areas in the UK for women once again, while Haringey, North London, had the largest positive change, jumping from 301st place, to 54th.

Meanwhile, a regional breakdown of numbers showed that the South West experienced the lowest rise in life expectancy growth across England since 2001-03.

Male life expectancy in the region now stands at 80.2 years, compared with 77.4 years between 2001 to 2003 - losing its top spot in regional rankings and falling to fourth.

Female life expectancy also felt a smaller life expectancy increase, resulting in its place falling from first to third.

London and the South East now take the lead, with the capital ranking at number one for women and number two for men, increasing by an average of 3.5 years and 4.5 years respectively from 2001 to 2003 and 2015 to 2017.

The South East maintains a high position, keeping its place at number two for women, going from 81.6 years in 2001 to 2003, to 84 years in 2015 to 2017.

Male life expectancy at birth rose to the number one spot, from 77.4 years to 80.6 years within the same period.

Despite the South West's fall, life expectancy still remains higher than northern regions of England, as the North East keeps its spot at the bottom for men and drops one spot to the bottom for women too.