WARRINGTON Borough Council has decided to write off almost £4.5 million worth of 'unrecoverable debt' as a 'last resort'.

The debt, most of which is four to six years old, totalled £4,472,183.

It is made up of £4,267,664 from national non-domestic rates, £175,654 from miscellaneous income, including social care debts, and £28,865 from housing benefit overpayments.

A council spokesman said: "The council works hard to collect every penny possible – and we maintain a very good record in pursuing outstanding payments.

"Our debt collection remains high, but some debts become impossible to collect and continuing to pursue them is a waste of council resources.

"On these occasions, and when all other avenues have been exhausted, the council will consider writing off the debt – although this is always a last resort."