CANCER, smoking, diabetes, and strokes are just some of the things a new wide-ranging Swindon health programme will tackle.

The Swindon Health Improvement Programme, which will be discussed on Tuesday by the borough council, will aim to improve health across the town in the next three years.

The programme has been set up by more than 20 agencies, including social services, primary care groups, and the Princess Margaret Hospital.

It aims to cut down on the causes of sickness, as well as decrease early deaths through awareness campaigns and green travel plans.

The programme will also see more integration of the different agencies relevant to health in Swindon.

Council director of environmental services Peter Ellershaw said: "Improving health means tackling the causes of poor health.

"We know these causes to be a complex interaction between personal, social, economic and environmental factors.

"For these reasons improving health is not just the business of health services but will be brought about by strengthening the relation-ships and work between agencies."

The aims of the programme include reducing deaths from heart disease, strokes and cancer, as well as improving mental health services and freeing beds by reducing the amount of time people spend in hospital, through intermediate beds.

The programme includes training, improving diets and an anti-smoking campaign.