Professor John Ashton said the figures could not be explained as a statistical illusion

Thousands of elderly people have died unexpectedly during the past year, driving a rise in overall death rates that is baffling public health chiefs, a leaked government report has revealed.

About 600 more people died every week this year than the weekly average for the past five years which is about 10,000 deaths.

Since early 2012, there have been 23,400 more deaths than usual in England and Wales, a 5 per cent rise, according to an analysis of official figures by Public Health England.

After years of rising life expectancy and falling mortality rates, the elderly are bearing the brunt of the spike, with the rises highest in the over-65s and particularly among those in their 80s.

The report said it was worrying that the