UP to 100 police jobs could be lost in Cheshire because of low Government funding, Liberal Democrats in Warrington have warned.

Dr Jo Crotty, the party's spokesman for Warrington South, was joined by Lib Dem MP Steve Webb, and borough councillors in collecting signatures against the cuts in the town centre on Saturday.

"Local police bosses say up to 100 jobs could be lost - many of them police officers", she said.

"This is directly caused by the Labour Government giving our police authority the lowest possible grant of 2.5 per cent."

"This means a real term funding cut for our police because it will not even keep pace with inflation."

Dr Crotty said that following a Friday night spent with officers policing the town centre, it was clear that, although they were doing their best with the available resources, the police needed more.

She said the Government's threat to cap any local authorities raising council tax by more than five per cent meant the police were stuck' when it came to avoiding the job cuts.

The petition will be sent to the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, Dr Crotty said.