MINISTERS are being urged to release the Government's 'bleak' Brexit economic impact assessments as concerns over a 'calamitous' deal for Warrington mount.

During Monday's full council meeting, two motions linked to the UK's impending withdrawal from the European Union were carried after gaining cross-party support.

With six months to go until the UK is scheduled to depart, councillors backed a request for council chief executive Steven Broomhead to publish any risk assessment carried out showing the impact of leaving the political and economic union on the town – and to provide updates on the issue fortnightly.

Leader of the town's Liberal Democrats Cllr Bob Barr, who proposed the motion, believes Warrington has a 'great deal more than many other towns to lose'.

He said: "It is appropriate for officers to examine impact of Brexit on Warrington, so steps to mitigate harm can be taken.

"We don't believe the 2016 vote was based on adequate or reliable information on what Brexit actually means.

"At the time of the referendum, we were in the top 10 towns reliant on European trade and we have a nuclear scientific base built largely on European collaboration, as well as many young people destined for university whose prospects will be harmed."

It was seconded by Cllr Ryan Bate (LD – Grappenhall), who called on the Labour-run authority to 'show leadership' so 'we can all avoid the calamitous Brexit for Warrington'.

He said: "We need to show leadership in demanding the very best deal for Warrington – that may involve a People's Vote, it may, and I am one of the people I'm sure not alone, hoping that we may avoid Brexit altogether.

"But, like many on all sides of this chamber, I too believe Brexit will be the defining issue for our country, determining our future for decades to come, so let's make sure we do all we can in this chamber to make sure it is the best future for our economy, for our town and for its people."

Cllr Hitesh Patel, executive board member for personnel and communications, highlighted the cost implications for the council if it carried out an internal assessment.

But he vowed to keep members updated on any threats posed by Brexit, partly through risk assessments published as part of his portfolio remit.

A motion calling on the Government to release its economic impact assessment for the borough, the Cheshire subregion and the north west was also carried.

Cllr Dan Price, executive board member for culture and partnerships, proposed it.

He said: "There is a scary and daunting reality, this Government is forecasting a bleak economic outlook for this country.

"We must assume this because the economic impact assessments the Government has produced are being kept in secret.

"If the future were bright, Brexiteers in Government would be only too quick to share that information with us and tell us about the economic forecasts that we are all about to enjoy – their absence is utterly chilling.

"Together councillors, we in the chamber, are calling on the Government to share what they know about where we live – they have used our taxes to assess the impact of Brexit on our community and our region."

While speaking during the debate for the second motion, Cllr Barr said the EU referendum in 2016 was 'lost in the last 10 days'.

He claimed the 'worst possible lies' were 'posted into the Facebook feeds' of the most vulnerable people in the country, which he believes led to a 'completely corrupt referendum'.