WARRINGTON North has one of the highest levels of illiterate and innumerate adults in Cheshire.

Figures from the Basic Skills Agency show that 24.2 per cent of adults living in Warrington North are illiterate and a further 24.8 per cent are innumerate the fourth highest percentage for both categories in Cheshire

This is compared to the 21.3 per cent of illiterate and 20.6 innumerate adults in Warrington South.

Helen Jones, MP for Warrington North, said: "The figures are worrying and the situation needs to be tackled urgently. I welcome the Skills for Success initiative which, I believe, will help improve those figures."

Hilary Tucker, principal of Warrington Collegiate Institute, said: "Warrington is a prosperous and successful town but, as these figures clearly indicate, there are still some areas of serious educational disadvantage in the locality.

"Improving literacy and numeracy has to be a key priority for all areas but the Collegiate is working energetically with a range of partners to target our high quality Basic Skills team on those areas where the need is greatest."

The news comes as the Government launches the multi-million pound Skills for Success campaign to reduce the number of adults who have difficulties with basic skills by 750,000 within the next three years.

Borough council chief executive Steve Broomhead was due to be at 10 Downing Street this morning, Thursday, as the Prime Minister Tony Blair launched the campaign.

He said: "I have been the Government's critical friend in the development of this strategy. It is an important issue for Warrington and will be given a lot of priority by the council and its partners over the coming months."