PEOPLE packed into the Signals lounge at the Alexandra Stadium for a regional government debate arranged by the trade union UNISON.

Crewe and Nantwich MP Gwyneth Dunwoody chaired the debate with Roger Bannister, a supporter of regional assemblies, and Brian Morris, an opponent.

The purpose was to inform and encourage debate ahead of the autumn referendum. UNISON says it is concerned that people could be sleepwalking into the referendum, allowing a regional government to be introduced by default on a low turn-out.

The Crewe and Nantwich branch of the union has joined Cheshire County Council's branch in opposing regional assemblies.

A union spokesman: 'UNISON would like to see public money spent on recruiting more police officers, firefighters, teachers, doctors and nurses into our public services.

'Regional government will only add to a long list of wasteful Government experiments with public services.'