STAFF at dozens of pubs in Widnes have received training on how to respond in the event of a stabbing.

More than 30 establishments who are member of the Widnes PubWatch scheme took part in training from the major trauma teams at Aintree Hospital and the Royal Liverpool Hospital as part of the ‘pioneering and life-saving’ KnifeSavers scheme.

These venues have also been provided with bleeding control kits to stem blood loss in the event of a serious incident.

Nikhil Misra, the major trauma surgeon who developed KnifeSavers, said: “During the session, we taught vital skills which can help save a life in the first few minutes after someone is stabbed.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

From left, Nikhil Misra, Nicole Russell and Josh Callon

“Naturally, we hope that these never have to be used, but if an incident happens then we know that immediate action can save lives.”

Peter Bradley arranged the training event after the death of his friend Christian Thornton, the landlord of the Hammer and Pincers pub in the town who was stabbed to death last year.

Barred drinker Lee Abbott was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years in February after being convicted of murdering the dad-of-three.

Mr Bradley said: “My friend Chris sadly had his life taken in his own pub due to knife crime.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Christian Thornton

“This hit his family, friends and the community hard.

“We never expected it to happen so close to home and especially to someone we all knew and loved.

“The KnifeSavers training event for the Widnes Pubwatch group is giving us the opportunity to make our community a much safer place – the support I have received from the pubs and the wider community has been amazing.

“This is just the start, as my next focus is to buy KnifeSavers packs for the schools in Widnes.

“Without the support of Mr Misra and his KnifeSavers team, I wouldn’t have got this far.

“I am truly grateful.”