Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

West Wiltshire residents seem to be a healthy bunch of people,
In general terms we seem to be a healthy lot. Compared to the average resident of England we live longer, we're below average for both binge drinking and smoking, and not so many of our teenagers get pregnant. We also have low rates of violent crime and homelessness.

However, there are two indicators where we are significantly below average. One of these relates to children's teeth - the average number of decayed, missing and filled teeth in children aged 5. Given the disgraceful state of NHS dentistry around here, that's hardly surprising. The other is GCSE achievement; but quite how this is seen as a health matter is something that only the government can tell us! We also have 1 in 10 children classed as obese in their first year at school.