A RUNCORN MP has praised the work of an anti-knife charity in Parliament.

Live your life drop the knife was founded in Runcorn in response to violence and knife crime.

The campaign hopes to educate young people about the dangers of bladed weapons and has already carried out a number of successful weapons sweeps across the borough, as well as provided advice and education aimed at turning young people away from knives.

During a debate on knife crime prevention orders, the Weaver Vale MP said: "As we speak, Live Your Life Drop The Knife is doing some excellent work in schools in the Runcorn part of my constituency.

"The community could do an even better job if the Government reversed the £56m of cuts imposed on Cheshire police.

"When are they going to do that?"

Speaking outside the chamber, Mike said: "It’s hugely admirable what ordinary people are doing to try and fight the scourge of knife crime in our society, but we also need more funding for our frontline police officers, with up to another 250 set to be lost in Cheshire over the next two years alone."