GOOD news if you’re a new-born girl and you live in the Beggarwood area of Basingstoke – you’ve got a good chance of living to being over 100.

A report from Public Health England, which is part of the Department of Health, shows that girls born in the Beggarwood area have the second highest life expectancy in the country, with an average life expectancy of 104.3.

This is topped only by girls born in the Northburn Estate in Northumberland, who can expect to live to the grand old age of 105.

Borough Mayor Councillor Dan Putty, who represents the Hatch Warren and Beggarwood ward, said he was thrilled to hear that life expectancy in the area is so high.

He said: “It is great to hear that an independent body has found that this area is one of the best in the country in terms of health.

“There is also great community spirit and if anyone has a problem then others will help them. There is a real sense of neighbourliness.”

Cllr Terri Reid, who represents the same ward, said that she believed the high life-expectancy figure is the result of being close to Basingstoke town, with its access to good health care, and of being near to green open spaces, that lead to such good health.

She said: “It’s great news for the area.

“People around here really take advantage of the fact there is so much to do outside and so many green spaces.

“We have the best of both worlds in Beggarwood.”

The statistics published by Public Health England expose a wide disparity in life expectancy in different parts of the country, and between men and women.

Boys born today in Knightsbridge, London, can expect to live until the age of 99.7, while those born in Rockferry, Birkenhead, will only make it to the age of 66.5 years.

The lowest life expectancy for girls is in Holme Wood, Bradford, where the average life expectancy is only 73 years.