Halton Borough Council has said that safety must come first before sending children back.

And it has confirmed schools in the borough will not reopen before June 8.

A spokesperson for the council said: "Halton schools will not open before Monday, June 8 and only then if deemed safe, following detailed risk assessments being undertaken and social distancing and other measures being put in place by each school."

Whether or not schools should reopen has generated a heated debate between parents, with some against the idea for fear that children will not be able to adhere to social distancing measures.

Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury has also urged the government to put safety first and would be lobbying ministers on the issue.

He said: "For children to go back to school safely and for parents to have confidence and reassurance it's essential that the correct social distancing measures are in place."