WESTBROOK and Callands Community Support Officers held a Business Watch meeting with around a dozen companies at the International Business Centre.

Westbrook councillor David Earl (LD) attended the meeting, which gave the firms the opportunity to raise issues of concern with CSOs Dave Brownlee and Neil Samuel.

Clr Earl said: "It was very useful as a networking meeting with local businesses as the Westbrook area has a good mix of residential and business premises.

"One of my responsibilites on the executive is economic development and this includes liaison with existing firms in Warrington to ensure that they continue to trade and provide employment in the borough and, of course, to encourage business expansion and additional employment for local people wherever possible.

"There used to be a business forum in Gemini some years back but it faded away so we are looking to combine the police watch with a renewed forum for local firms and hold regular meetings to deal with both policing and council/business co-operation."

The next meeting will be held on March 7 at 3pm at the International Business Centre in Birchwood.