A TOP solicitor has blasted a multi-million pound police custody suite where prisoners are left rotting in cells'.

Ian Waites claims the controversial new centre in Manor Park, Runcorn, which covers Warrington and cost more than £5m to build, is no better than the archaic version it replaced.

"The new custody suite is heavily under-staffed and consequently people were dealt with far quicker," he told Runcorn magistrates last week.

"People are left rotting in cells for literally hours."

Mr Waites was defending 18-year-old Daniel Cosgrove, of Cunningham Road, Ditton, Widnes, who admitted damaging a cell door while under arrest.

"There is no justifying criminal damage but people go absolutely delirious with boredom waiting and waiting for something to happen," he said.

Chief Inspector Phil Wellings, who oversees the Runcorn custody suite and ones in Middlewich and Chester, defended the facility which Cheshire Police boasts eventually' will be the best in the country'.

"I wouldn't say it was working perfectly but it is better than the old facilities and a much better environment for staff and prisoners," he said.

"We are continually looking at how we can improve the process and get them through and out the other end.

"That is in everyone's interests."