Staff at a Cheshire prison are "struggling to cope" with the problems of drugs and violence, a watchdog report has revealed.

Inspectors have called for urgent action to combat a growing gang problem at the Category C HMP Risley, near Warrington, which houses more than 1,000 men.

During an unannounced inspection in the prison in April, it found more than 60% of the inmates suspected of using drugs like heroin tested positive, and drugs were readily available.

According to inmates, gangs tried to persuade others to join by offering £50 cash incentives.

Also more than 50 prisoners were found with banned mobile phones in the first four months of this year and others were found making alcohol.

Meanwhile, parts of the prison were found to be dirty and in poor decorative order, with one wing described as "unfit for purpose".

Cockroaches, rats and fleas were reported in parts of the sprawling prison and some toilets were screened only by makeshift curtains.

Chief Inspector of Prisons Anne Owens, said: "Worryingly, prisoners felt even more unsafe than in the past, and a serious drug problem, with associated gang violence, was having a pervasive and pernicious effect.

"The establishment's sprawling buildings and poor design added to the difficulties for staff, but there was no excuse for the squalor we found."

She added: "Risley also had insufficient purposeful activity to be an effective training prison, although better use could have been made of what there was."

Phil Wheatley, Director General of the National Offender Management Service, said he took the evaluation very seriously.

He said: "Since the inspection of the prison’s violence reduction strategy, has been reviewed and rewritten, an integrated tackling anti-social behaviour strategy has been introduced and a specialist gang management strategy is being developed in conjunction with the local police.

"These measures are being implemented and will make the prison safer."

(JM)