A GLASGOW community may finally be able to shake off its "sick man of Europe" tag.

For decades Shettleston has been recognised as having the lowest life expectancy in the UK, and at one point in western Europe.

In 2004, the average man could expect to live until 63, comparable with Iraq and some countries in the Third World.

Alcohol, tobacco, poor diet and lack of exercise were blamed for the early deaths.

But new figures suggest that men's health has improved steadily between 2004 and 2010, closing the gap with the national average.

Life expectancy rose to 67 in 2005 and had reached 71 by 2010, on a par with the Glasgow average, the lowest in the UK.

Women in Shettleston can now expect to live until 78, two years behind the national average.

Last year the Evening Times revealed figures which placed Maryhill and Springburn at the bottom of the life expectancy ratings.

The two areas in the north of the city have the lowest life expectancy for men and women in Scotland, at 69.8 and 76.5 years respectively.

It has been suggested that recent boundary changes may have influenced the figures.

However, John Mason, SNP MSP for Glasgow Shettleston, right, who obtained the figures, said they suggest that measures implemented by the Scottish Government, such as the smoking ban in March 2006, were having a positive impact on the health of Scots.

He said: "After years of the East End continuing to get a bad name for its poor life expectancy, these statistics reaffirm that we are moving onwards, upwards and in the right direction.

"Governments of various colours have tried to improve health and life expectancy in the East End, but clearly it takes a long time to turn things around.

"Actions such as the introduction of the smoking ban, healthier food in schools and encouragement to breastfeed have undoubtedly helped.

"I hope attempts to tackle ultra-cheap alcohol will make a difference too.

"However, we cannot be complacent. As much as these figures may pull Shettleston off the bottom of the league tables, it's important to keep working.

"With the Commonwealth Games coming to Glasgow in 2014, we have a remarkable opportunity to engage in more sporting activities, cut back on the excesses of smoking and alcohol and continue this good work."

Patricia Ferguson, Labour MSP for Maryhill and Springburn, said: "I think we need to focus on the fact that life expectancy in Glasgow as a whole is the lowest in UK and I will be working as hard as I can to address this."

The affluent area of Eastwood in East Renfrewshire has the highest life expectancy in the west of Scotland: 80.2 years for men and 83.4 years for women.

Despite being below EU averages, Scottish life expectancy has risen by seven years for men and five years for women over the past 30 years.