WARRINGTON Walking Day will have ‘appropriate levels’ of police support following fears that it could be cut significantly, says the council leader.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead penned a letter to Cheshire Police’s chief constable calling for improved support for the summer event.

He told Darren Martland the council engaged with an event professional to ‘health check’ the overall Walking Day plan after the force committed to reviewing its approach to policing parades in the future.

And Mr Broomhead expressed concerns over police support potentially being reduced, along with telling the police chief that the force has ‘obligations to provide statutory duties which cannot be withdrawn as you are proposing’.

However, Town Hall bosses have welcomed an update on the situation after discussions.

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden said: “Following a positive meeting and discussion with Cheshire Police colleagues, I am pleased to confirm that Walking Day will once again receive the appropriate levels of police support to ensure that it continues to be a safe, well-managed and important event for Warrington.

“Police support in the planning and delivery of Walking Day has always been important, so it’s good news that once again they have committed to providing assistance in the run-up to, and during, the event, which we know is always a special occasion for our town.

“We are proud of our unique history and Walking Day is an important part of our heritage – it is quintessentially Warrington.

“By working together with our partners, we can ensure that it remains a well-established and significant event for our town into the future.”