THE economy in Cheshire West and Chester is growing faster than in any other local authority area in England and Wales, it has been reported.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics is also said to show that Cheshire and Warrington’s economy grew faster than anywhere else in England.

Figures have been analysed by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which has today (Wednesday, January 16) revealed the sub-region now boasts a £30.9bn economy.

This means every resident produces goods and services worth an average of £33,384 per year, which is almost 40 per cent higher than the North West average and more than 21 per cent higher than the UK average.

Cheshire East has the highest level of output per head in the sub-region at £36,292, with Warrington appearing in the same statistics as the most productive town in the North.

Christine Gaskell, chair of the LEP, said: “Cheshire and Warrington’s progress continues to be remarkable and our economic success reflects not only the excellence that exists in the region, but also the wealth of opportunity here to establish and grow enterprise.”

She added: “What is most pleasing is that we have now broken through the £30bn per annum barrier, an important milestone in our ambition of growing the economy to more than £50bn by 2040.”

The latest ONS economic results come as the LEP prepares to launch a series of events across the sub-region at the end of the month to discuss its Local Industrial Strategy.

Mrs Gaskell added: “During the course of 2018 we have been consulting with businesses, public partners and civil society and mapping our economic strengths to inform our developing strategy to maximise our contribution to UK productivity and to ensure we keep growing to the benefit of everyone who lives and works in Cheshire and Warrington.

“These forthcoming events over the next three months will test our initial thoughts on our direction and the latest ONS figures will help inform the conversations we have with our stakeholder community as well as generate confidence in our collective approach.”

The Standard has approached Cheshire West and Chester Council to request further details on the borough’s reported economic growth success.