A LARGE police presence was reported at Spike Island over the weekend.

A number of Cheshire Police vehicles were spotted at the site near the River Mersey on Saturday afternoon at around 4pm.

The force has confirmed that officers attended following reports of concerns for the safety of a man.

He could not be found at the scene, however officers spoke to him at an address in Widnes and he later attended hospital as a precaution.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: “At 3.58pm on Saturday, February 3, officers responded to concerns for the welfare of a 63-year-old man near Spike Island, Widnes.

“Officers quickly attended the scene and conducted a search of the area, however he could not be located.

“At 4.36pm, officers were then notified that the man had been returned to his home address and the search was called off.

“Officers then attended an address in Widnes, where the man was then taken to hospital as a precaution.”