Parts of Banbury are among the most deprived areas in England, according to new figures released by Cherwell District Council.

The figures were revealed in a needs assessment survey carried out for the council to determine health priorities for the region.

Other areas of north and west Oxfordshire fared badly in a deprivation table that listed 8,414 wards in England in order of need.

The assessment was part of a national project to develop a new public health strategy in partnership with local primary care trusts.

The survey took into account income levels, employment, health and disability, education and training, housing and access to essential services.

The wards were surveyed and ranked, with the lowest being the most deprived.

Banbury Neithrop, which includes Bretch Hill, was in the bottom quarter of the table, being listed at 1,797 of 8,414. It also had the highest proportion of teenage pregnancies in the county.

Banbury Ruscote was rated at 2,382 and Banbury Grimsbury was just above average, at 4,493.

Banbury Hardwick was 5,338, with Chipping Norton creeping into the top half of the list at 4,575.

A report accompanying the survey said deprivation was a major cause of poor health.

It stated that north and west Oxfordshire were relatively rich areas, but that significant differences in wealth distribution led to variations in the health of the population between the most and the least prosperous.

Eileen Edwards, Cherwell's head of environmental services, said: "The assessment was an interesting piece of work that set a range of priorities for different agencies to concentrate on.

"It looked at all health needs, including teenage pregnancies."

The survey showed that six Cherwell wards were in the top 10 areas in Oxfordshire for pregnancies in the under-18 age group.

Neithrop topped that list, with 109 births per 1,000 population. Grimsbury (78.5), Banbury Calthorpe (85), Ruscote (75), Bicester South (60.5), and Bicester West (89.5), were the five other top 10 areas.

Mrs Edwards said: "Teenage pregnancies are a particular problem, with the number having increased since the last survey in 1997."

She said an action plan would be drafted by September.

The plan would focus on drug abuse, accidents, promote healthy lifestyles, improve the health of people in poor quality housing and the homeless, and address the sexual needs of all sectors of the community.

It will also provide easier access to essential services and deal with mental health issues.