They warn that national security will be dangerously exposed without the aircraft, which would have continued to provide long-range reconnaissance and surveillance, and protect the Royal Navy's Trident submarines.

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More pertinently, they have continued to see a worrying fall in gates at the Deva, which is owned by the Chester city council.

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"In spite of this they have continued to do their jobs with the highest levels of courage and professionalism in circumstances which are not paralleled in any other prison service, " he said.

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