MORE THAN a quarter of adults in Torridge are clinically overweight, according to the district's new health profile.

And adult obesity in the district is significantly "worse" than in the rest of England and the South West, says the Department of Health NHS report.

It goes on to say 2,967 Torridge residents are also suffering from diabetes, one type of which is linked with obesity.

But the percentage of children spending at least three hours every week on school sports is "significantly better" than the country's average.

And to continue the healthy living theme, there has been a fall in teenage pregnancies, with 37 in the past year — in 2009 the Kenwith ward near Bideford was in the top 20 per cent nationally for under-18 conceptions.

Life expectancy here is higher than elsewhere, with one of the lowest figures for winter deaths in the country contributing to that longevity.

But, says the report, around 2,080 people in Torridge are deemed to be poorer than average and 1,910 children live in poverty, with 13 people classified as homeless.