A campaign urging residents to get healthy has been launched by a regional daily after official statistics revealed tens of thousands of people in the city were dying from diseases related to poor diet and lack of exercise.

Within days of the figures being released by the Department of Heath, the Southern Daily Echo had come up with the Staying Alive drive, designed to urge readers to get active and eat properly in the hop of reducing deaths from killer diseases like cancer, stroke, and heart, lung and liver disease.

The figures showed that between 2009 and 2011, around 13,000 people in Southampton died from one of those illnesses.

Editor Ian Murray said the report had put Southampton among the worst cities in the country for avoidable deaths.

“Although the rest of Hampshire fares better, there is still work to be done to raise the profile of why these killer diseases are not being tackled and how residents – readers – can help make their own lifestyle and health choices,” he told HTFP.

“Over the summer our Staying Alive campaign will seek the support of politicians, health experts, local authorities, fitness centres and other bodies to promote messages of health.

“There is an acceptance that poverty plays its part, but many changes to lifestyle cost little or nothing.

“We may not be able to prevent 13,000 deaths, but we can do our best to dent that figure.”

As part of the campaign, the paper will publish regular features on gym classes, announce where free health checks are on offer, discuss the latest medical advice and publish hints and tips on how to eat healthily and lead an active lifestyle.

Personal stories from people who have battled the diseases or who have managed to turn their lifestyle around will also be included.

Southampton council bosses have already given their support to the campaign, with health chief Councillor Dave Shields officially backing the scheme.

“I very much support the campaign. It is great to promote exercise and we need to do our best to encourage people to have healthy lifestyles and ensure the people most at risk get the support they need,” he said.