THE real value of average earnings in Warrington has dropped by one of the biggest rates in the country according to a new report.

The study, published by the GMB union, put the borough as the fourth worst affected area in the UK with a fall of 24 per cent since the start of the recession five years ago.

The average across the country was 14 per cent.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, said: "These alarming figures show how hard-pressed working people across the UK are struggling to pay their bills after years of wage decline and attacks on the living standards of families throughout the land.

"Working people deserve and need a decent pay rise to halt the drop in living standards."