WARRINGTON has ‘no ambition’ to become a city, the council leader has confirmed.

Cllr Russ Bowden (LAB – Birchwood) addressed concerns on the matter during his first leader’s forum event at Whitecross Community Centre on Tuesday.

And he said the town is labelled as a city in ‘Government speak’ because of the strength of its economy.

He added: “To be absolutely clear, unequivocally, there is no ambition for Warrington to be a city.

“Talking about a new city or Warrington garden city, or anything around city, is not about city status.

“It is purely a concept in planning development.

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“I think across the local plan now a lot of the terminology has been softened, so it is not so in your face around a garden city or new city.”