INDEPENDENT inspectors say Warrington firefighters are providing a four-star' emergency response service.

The Audit Commission gives service assessment scores for authorities across the country.

And the national body, which ensures public services deliver value for money, awarded Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service full marks.

The commission report said: "The service is performing strongly in its prevention and protection work and uses a wide range of flexible resources to deliver an extensive programme of community safety.

"It is also performing strongly in emergency response and has undertaken a significant amount of research to ensure that safe systems of work are maintained at operational incidents.

"It has a clear understanding of its community and is very focused on meeting its needs."

The findings are part of an overall assessment to be published by the commission on April 5.

Clr Tony Hooton, Cheshire Fire Authority chairman, said: "I am delighted that we have independent recognition of the excellent work which is being done by our frontline emergency response and community safety services.

"These are the parts of our service which really make a difference to our residents by responding effectively to incidents and preventing fires and other emergencies from happening in the first place."

Further details are available from the service's website cheshirefire.gov.uk or the Audit Commission - audit-commission.gov.uk/fire