They are concerned that during busy periods, like Friday and Saturday nights, their cell capacity will be stretched to breaking point.

But they were told on Monday by government officials that was not an option and that cells were needed by the end of the week.

The decision to use local police cells was slamed by Lib Dem member of the police authority, Councillor Colin Eldridge.

"The government knew the prison population was reaching capacity for some time but they gave Merseyside Police just 5 days notice that they would be expected to start housing prisoners," said Colin

"We don't have enough police on the beat as it is. This just puts a major burden on the police, who have more important things to do than hold prisoners for the prison service."