WARRINGTON Borough Council will buy Birchwood Park in a deal planned to help 'protect' its front line services and jobs amid 'drastic' Government cuts.

The executive board unanimously voted for the authority to buy the site at a special Town Hall meeting on Monday.

The deal, worth in the region of £210 million, is by far the biggest purchase made by the council and follows deals to acquire land which houses DW Sports, on Academy Way, and Matalan, on Winwick Road.

It could see the council earn more than £10 million a year in rent.

More than 150 businesses are currently housed at the park, which is owned by Oaktree Capital Management and Patrizia.

The site is set to be bought offshore, although this matter is subject to further political discussions.

The Warrington Guardian understands funding saved by using this method, which would bring lower taxes, would be invested into the town's services.

In his report to members, deputy council leader Cllr Russ Bowden, who is also executive member for corporate finance, said authorities are having to identify new income opportunities following 'budget cuts and austerity measures'.

He added: "Warrington is very much seen as an exemplar in how to go about this type of investment."

Cllr Hans Mundry, executive board member for highways, transportation and public realm, also highlighted ongoing cuts.

He said: "We always talk about massive cuts the Government is putting on local authorities like ours.

"Projects like this protect front line services that people depend on from Government cuts and help protect front line jobs for our staff."

Cllr Hitesh Patel, executive board member for personnel and communications, believes the public should be 'reassured' by the 'robust' due diligence framework in place.

And council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill praised the authority for 'thinking on its feet'.

He added: "Warrington is getting synonymous for investing our capital and we are offsetting drastic cuts on the revenue side.

"We are doing something right and everyone else is looking at how we operate in Warrington.

"This is something we have to do and is something we should be proud of in the town.

"We are doing something like this to make sure we are delivering services that our communities require and need.

"We have to make sure we are raising funds in different ways to make sure our communities don't suffer in these austere times."

Financial details were discussed in private in part two of the meeting.