WARRINGTON Borough Council is actively considering how to support the concept of warm hubs to tackle the energy crisis.

Many councils and voluntary organisations are joining forces across the country to open public spaces for people worried about the cost of heating their homes as gas and electricity costs spiral.

Many churches in Warrington have already announced they will be taking part in various schemes.

Warrington Borough Council is planning how it can support a network of venues for people to use in the dead.

Chief executive Steven Broomhead said: "We are developing plans for supporting warm hubs.

"In the next couple of weeks, we will plan how we can support a network of warm hubs throughout the town and across the borough, particularly in the voluntary sector."

Across the east of the town, the Thomas Risley Church, the Encounter Centre, and the Table have joined forces with hubs opening on the following days:

Thomas Risley Church: Monday, 1-3pm; Thursday, 8:45-11:30am

The Encounter Centre: Tuesday, 10am-3pm; Friday, 10am-3pm

The Table: Thursday, 11:30am-1pm

Food hubs across Warrington that are coordinated by 'The Bread and Butter Thing' are taking part in the organisation's 'Getting Toasty' scheme.

The scheme involves some of the food hubs opening for a few hours before the food is handed out, allowing the sites to become 'warm hubs.'

Sites in Westy and Birchwood are taking place in the scheme, with a total of three sites in Warrington signing up to become 'warm hubs' for communities to access.

As well as being open to provide food parcels containing £35 of food for a fraction of the price, three hubs will open for a few hours beforehand.

Residents can access the 'Getting Toasty' scheme at the following sites:

Birchwood Church of England Primary School, from 11am on a Thursday 

Westy Community Centre, from 11:30am on a Friday

The Old School on Fairfield Street, from 12pm on a Monday.