The risk of premature death is lower in Croydon than the national average, new figures show. 

Cancer, heart disease and stroke account for most of the 2,558 early deaths in the borough but kill fewer residents than in many areas, a new public health website has revealed.

Longer Lives, launched today by Public Health England, maps the causes of premature death across the country.

Croydon had the 58th fewest early deaths out of 150 local authority areas, it showed. 

The borough had among the fewest cancer-related deaths in the country between 2009 and 2011, and also performed better than average on lung and liver disease. 

But more people die in Croydon due to heart disease and stroke than in much of the country.

Heart disease and stroke kill 66 people for every 100,000 people living in Croydon, the 76th highest rate in the country.

Cancer, by far the biggest killer across the country, caused 97 deaths in Croydon for every 100,000 residents. 

Lung disease caused 23 and liver disease caused 13. 

Croydon had the lowest cancer death rate across 15 boroughs with similar levels of deprivation. 

The new website maps death rates for the four major killers, responsible for 75 per cent of early deaths in the UK. 

Public Health England said it was designed to help local authorities target health strategies most effectively.