MORE than 2,000 people have signed a petition within 24 hours calling for the Government to make a u-turn over its plans to house sex offenders at Thorn Cross prison.

The campaign, which was launched by the Warrington Guardian on Wednesday afternoon, was set up after the Ministry of Justice revealed plans to allow convicted sex offenders to serve the remainder of their custodial sentences at the open prison in Appleton Thorn.

This is despite a commitment from the Government that this would never happen.

The changes are expected to come into force by the end of the year at the facility on Arley Road which is just yards away from Appleton Thorn Primary School.

The decision has triggered concerns across the village with some fearing their safety could be put in jeopardy. Read the full story here.

The Warrington Guardian can also reveal that HMP Thorn Cross is the closest open prison to a primary school in the country.

To sign the petition click here.

Open prisons that currently house sex offenders:

HMP Leyhill in Gloucestershire

• 0.6 miles - Tortworth Primary

HMP North Sea Camp in Lincolnshire

• 2.7 miles - Fishtoft Academy

Open prisons that will now house sex offenders:

HMP Hollesley Bay in Suffolk

• 1 mile – Hollesey Primary

HMP Thorn Cross:

• 0.1 miles from Appleton Thorn Primary

Other open prisons:

HMP Ford in West Sussex

• 0.8 mile - St Mary’s CE Primary

HMP Hewell in Worcestershire

• 1.4 miles - Tardebigge CE First School

HMP Kirkham in Lancashire

• 0.9 miles - St Michael’s Primary School

HMP Kirklevington Grange in Cleveland

• 0.5 miles – Conyers High

• 0.8 miles – Yarn Primary

HMP Spring Hill in Aylesbury

• 1.4 miles - Grendon Underwood Combined School

HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire

• 0.8 miles – Sudbury Primary

We want to hear from you about the plans. Email lauren.hirst@nqnw.co.uk or tweet us @warringtonnews.