WARRINGTON has one of the highest rates for alcohol 'pre-loading' in Cheshire and Merseyside, analysis has revealed.

The directors of public health across Cheshire and Merseyside agreed to roll out a campaign aimed at 'reducing drunkenness and potential health risks' associated to the night-time economy last year.

It was agreed that the initiative would be delivered in Warrington between October and December 2017, centred around three core components – raising awareness, bar staff training and enforcement.

In order to evaluate the impact, Liverpool John Moores University conducted analysis of ‘pre’ and ‘post’ campaign surveys that asked people a range of questions about their night out.

The analysis covered Warrington, Chester, Macclesfield, Southport, St Helens, Widnes and Wirral.

The town centre surveys were carried out by trained researchers and conducted between the hours of 9pm and 4.30am.

In Warrington, a total of 48 ‘pre’ and 33 ‘post’ surveys were completed.

The town recorded a 46.7 per cent result for pre-loading levels, the second highest, with only Macclesfield having a higher figure with 51.8 per cent.

Only Chester had higher rates of 'en-route loading' than Warrington, which included people consuming alcohol during their journeys to the town centre.

Warrington had the third highest reported or expected unit consumption, 17.3 units, over the course of the night, behind Widnes and St Helens.

And it had the highest 'expected high level of drunkenness at the end of the night', with 83.3 per cent.

Furthermore, only 51 per cent of people thought the area was a ‘safe place’ for a night out.

However, it had the highest response from people saying the authorities ‘do not tolerate’ drunken behaviour in the area.

Concerns were raised about the findings during Thursday's health and wellbeing board meeting.

Director of public health Dr Muna Abdel Aziz said: "There is a lot that needs to be done.

"I think professionally what we can also do is look at the pathways for alcohol.

"I believe there is a discontinuity between alcohol support that is provided within the NHS and alcohol support that is provided out in the community.

"We are working to review those patient pathways together with the hospital."

Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, executive board member for public health and wellbeing, added: "It is more than alcoholism.

"It is heavy drinking drunkenness and at the end of that, for some people, it will be total dependency on alcohol.

"It is not just young people – it is people at home, it is people sometimes retired and bereaved."