WARNING leaflets have been circulated in Penketh and Cuerdley over a secure mental health unit being built on the edge of town.

They were posted by a residents' group objecting to The Priory's plans to build it off Dans Road in Widnes, just past Fiddlers Ferry.

Bennets Lane Task Group has also set up a website at bennettslane.bravehost.com Its campaign is focused in Widnes but it believes residents in Penketh people should be aware that the unit is being built.

Clr Rob Polhill, the Widnes councillor in charge of developments, said the pre-talk and consultation plans had been for a residential unit - but now permission was being sought for a secure hospitals, which falls in the same categories as prisons.

Clr Polhill said: "People in Penketh should be aware of the development. I'm not sure Warrington has even been consulted.

"It's the Priory Group but isn't going to be for Kate Moss, Elton John and Robbie Williams. It's going to for people who have committed serious offences."