From Saxon times Widnes was part of the hundred of West Derby. Modern local government in the town of Widnes commenced with the creation of the Widnes Local Board in 1865, prior to which the town had been part of the Prescot Urban District. In 1892 the town received a Charter of Incorporation giving it the status of a borough. In 1974, as part of the Local Government Act 1972 it was merged with Runcorn to form the Borough of Halton.
References
Municipal Borough of Widnes Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA