A startling report released this week revealed the state of the health of Croydon residents and showed a clear divide between some parts of the borough.

The report, which was presented to the council on Monday, revealed statistics and trends that will shock some people in Croydon.

According to its findings there are serious health inequalities across the borough, with the highest levels of obesity found in New Addington and Fieldway.

It also highlighted a massive rise in some sexually transmitted diseases, HIV rates and a huge dependence on alcohol and anti-depressants.

The annual report, written by Croydon Primary Care Trust and the office of the director of public health, Dr Tim Crayford, was presented at a council cabinet meeting at the town hall on Monday night.

The report is due to be published in April next year but the presentation at the meeting was a chance for the council to be shown six priority areas the PCT wishes to focus on in Croydon.

These are health inequalities, smoking, obesity and physical activity, sexual health, mental health and well-being and alcohol.

Other areas, including drug use, will not be ignored but the PCT said they were not priorities.

New Addington and Fieldway was revealed as Croydon's fattest ward and, according to the report, around half of the borough's population do not take regular physical activity.

And, worryingly, males in Broad Green live 10 years less than men in Selsdon and Ballards, which raises questions about the difference in the quality of life in the north and south of the borough.

The health report shocked many of the council's cabinet committee and some members raised questions about the figures.

There was concern about the rates of mental health in the borough when Dr Crayford said almost 20,000 people were prescribed anti-depressants in 2005 and Croydon women were more vulnerable to depression.

Young black males were found to have a much higher chance of being sectioned than their young white counterparts and there are almost 2,000 people in Croydon who have been diagnosed as alcohol dependent.

There was some good news, however. Rates of teenage pregnancy have been reduced across Croydon.

Around 360 girls under 18 become pregnant each year but Lambeth and Southwark now have more young mothers.

However, it was also noted teenage mothers and their babies are more likely to suffer poor health.

Alcohol has been an ongoing issue in the town with levels of binge drinking reaching an all time high.

The report found that 65,000 people in Croydon - a fifth of the borough's population - drink more than the recommended safe levels.

The council approved a decision to allow agencies across Croydon to work together to achieve health benefits for each of the priority areas.

Councillor Margaret Mead, cabinet member for health and social care, said: "There are many issues that have been raised in the report which obviously need addressing, for example children's health and the situation with mental health in the borough. We will do that by working our colleagues in the Croydon Healthy Partnership."