FIGURES released by the Office of National Statistics show that Monmouthshire has the lowest mortality rate in Wales, considerably below the national average.

With 890.3 deaths per 100,000 population for 2013, the latest set of statistics available, the county actually has the second lowest rate in the UK, behind only Greater London.

This figure compares well with Wales' highest area of 1,272 (per 100,000) in Blaenau Gwent, the UK's highest overall figure of 1,406.3 in Glasgow, and the UK average of 1,001.9.

Monmouthshire's mortality rate for 2013 sees a drop of 1.85 per cent from the previous year – 907.1 per 100,000 – and have fallen 19.6 per cent from 2003 – 1,106.7 per 100,000.

The figures are calculated using the age-standardised mortality rate which uses the 2013 European Standard Population and allows comparison between populations with different age structures and over time.

For more information, visit the Office for national Statistics' website at http://www.ons.gov.uk">www.ons.gov.uk