A GROUND-BREAKING campaign encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles has been backed by Bury Council.

Public Health England's One You campaign is highlighting the risks of smoking, drinking too much, physical inactivity and poor diet, which account for around 40 per cent of all deaths in England and cost the NHS more than £11 billion a year.

In Bury, around 20.5 per cent of adults still smoke, two-thirds are overweight or obese, and only half eat their 'five a day' and take part in physical activity for the recommended 150 minutes a week. Figures also show that there were 1,141 alcohol-related hospital admissions in Bury in 2013/14.

Cllr Andrea Simpson, Bury Council's cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Although we are generally living longer, we may live our later years in ill-health. Around 15 million Britons are currently living with a long-term health condition, around 45,000 of them in Bury.

“However, living healthy in middle age can double your chances of being healthy when you are 70. The One You campaign is a good reminder that is never too late to adopt healthier lifestyles.”

Dr Kiran Patel, chair and clinical lead for NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), added: “One You is all about making small changes that could have a positive impact on your health and reduce your chances of becoming poorly later in life.

"If you are finding it difficult to be more healthy due to a busy schedule and don’t know where to start, what’s really key to success is making small manageable changes that you can weave into your everyday life; added up they can have a big impact.

"One You focuses on what’s important to you as an individual and offers the tools, support and encouragement to help you reach your goals.”

For more information and to take the ‘How Are You’ online quiz, search ‘One You’ online now or go to www.nhs.uk/oneyou