THE leader of the borough council has revealed his vision of Warrington becoming a university town.

Labour leader John Gartside made the revelation to colleagues on the policy and resources committee that he saw a university as a key element of the town's future development.

Warrington Collegiate's Faculty of Higher Education, on Padgate Campus, is already affiliated with Manchester University - but initial discussions have begun on it becoming a full satellite of the institution.

The move would provide the scope for developing wider scientific research centres at the campus.

Clr Gartside sees this as a crucial element of the development of the town - a major part of which rests upon the future development of Junction Eight and the Omega site, both in Westbrook.

He believes the town should have a university to train its students in the ways of the "knowledge-based industries" which are winging their way to Omega.

He said: "From a number of directions, skills are absolutely crucial not only to the sustainability of the town but to the quality of life."