TWELVE council leaders from across the North West - including Wirral's Phil Davies - have today come together to sign a letter warning that “the disastrous economic effects of Brexit could mean catastrophe for our councils’ ability to deliver the services people rely on.”

In a letter to The Times, the 12 argue that in order to continue to support local businesses and jobs, remaining in the EU is crucial.

The letter argues that in almost every area of council work, leaving the EU would have a negative impact.

In particular they use the examples of policing, environmental protection and public health and funding for flood protection as areas that could be damaged if the UK votes for leave in June.

They also argue that Brexit would leave local people £450 a year worse off as a result of higher prices on the high street.

The letter is part of the Labour party’s "Labour In for Britain" campaign to persuade people to vote to remain in the EU referendum on June 23.

The letter was signed by 64 Labour council leaders from across the country who collectively deliver services to more than 12mpeople.

The Labour campaign is chaired by Alan Johnson MP and has the backing of Jeremy Corbyn and the rest of the Labour shadow cabinet.

In the letter, the councillors said: “As council leaders delivering services to thousands of citizens every day, we are united in the view that Britain is better off in Europe.

“From supporting local businesses and jobs, to protecting working people and supporting our health and environment, Britain’s EU membership is vital.

“The disastrous economic effects of Brexit could mean catastrophe for our councils’ ability to deliver the services people rely on, and if we leave Europe, it is our communities that will be hardest hit.”

It goes on: "Our local police can better serve our communities because of the international intelligence they receive from European forces, and because they have the tools they need to do their job.

"The European Arrest Warrant has led to over 1,100 suspected criminals being arrested and returned to Britain to face justice; Britain has also sent 7,400 suspected criminals who had fled to our country back to the EU. 

"Our communities would not be safer if we abandoned such an important tool in the fight against crime.

"Local councils have already had to make substantial cuts to their budgets over the last six years and leaving the EU will represent a further funding black hole that would make it harder to build homes and protect our towns against flooding."