Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton in the ceremonial county of Cheshire England with an urban area population of 57 663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south of Widnes across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn. Upstream & 8 miles to the east of Widnes is the town of Warrington & downstream 16 miles to the west is the city of Liverpool. Historically part of Lancashire prior to the Industrial Revolution Widnes consisted of a small number of separate settlements on land which was mainly marsh or moorl&. In 1847 the first chemical factory was established & the town rapidly became a major centre of the chemical industry. Widnes continues to be a major manufacturer of chemicals & there has been a degree of diversification of the towns industries. Widnes lies on the southern route of the Liverpool to Manchester railway line. The Sankey Canal (now disused) terminates in an area of Widnes known as Spike Isl&.