A trade union says free school meals could help end the health inequalities that mean people in Luton have the lowest life expectancy in the East of England.

In Luton, men live to an average age of 76.1 and women to an average of 80 - two years less than the regional average. This means they are more than four years short of the areas where people are longest-lived, which for men is South Norfolk at 80.2 years and for women is Rochford, in Essex, at 84.3 years.

General workers' union the GMB is calling for the government to offer free healthy meals for all schoolchildren, which it says would be the first step towards ending health inequality.

Ed Blissett, the union's regional secretary for the East of England, said: "Healthy eating is a key factor in how long we live. The best place to start educating people about nutrition and food is those early years of life at home and at school.

"For all families a nutritious healthy free school meal would be invaluable support in ensuring every child has healthy food options and would take pressure off families' monthly food bills."