WANSTEAD is the most affluent community in Redbridge with residents enjoying a higher life expectancy, a report has found.

The health needs assessment, carried out by NHS Redbridge, found Wanstead has a largely elderly community who can expect a long life, but that there is a prevalence of heart disease.

The report also found higher than average numbers of binge drinkers and smokers.

This was compared to areas such as Loxford, which has a much younger population and much higher numbers of black and minority ethnic people.

Wanstead was found to have one of the highest proportions of single pensioner households and people aged over 65.

It also has a low rate of emergency admissions to hospital and low use of unscheduled care services.

The health needs assessment is set to be carried out every year in a bid to help NHS Redbridge and its partners to find services that meet the needs of each polysystem, or healthcare area.

The polysystems divide the borough into specific areas and include GP surgeries, dental care , pharmacies and community and voluntary health services.