POLITICIANS of all parties are uniting to keep justice local.

Mid Cheshire's county councillors are all concerned about plans to close Northwich courthouse as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

And Moira Chapman, who is a magistrate as well as a councillor, has vowed to take the case to Britain's top legal expert.

"We are in the consultation process at the moment and councillors will make their feelings known," she said.

"But if there is a still a definite proposal to close the Northwich courthouse, I will be urging the council to take it up with the Lord Chancellor's office."

Although borough chiefs have agreed to submit "the strongest objection and protest" to the proposal, it is the county council who will have most say.

They will discuss the plan with the head of Cheshire's Magistrates' Court Committee at a private meeting in September.

But before then the region's representatives will try and persuade colleagues from across the county to join their fight.

"It will be a matter of great importance and I'm hoping that we will get all party support," said Tory councillor Nora Stopford.

The politicians' promise will be a boost for Vale Royal's Magistrates.

Around 40 met representatives of the committee trying to close the court last Wednesday.

They have formed a small group dedicated to fighting the plan and are collecting information to show how expensive and difficult it would be for people to get to other courts on public transport.

"They seemed to be listening, but who knows what goes on in their minds," said one. "They know we're going to put up this protest and that we're going to do our utmost to save the courts."

The Magistrates' Court Committee wants to close the court as part a bid to attract private finance.

The move would force victims and witnesses, as well as defendants, to travel to Chester, Crewe or Warrington - even for initial hearings.

"To move away from a borough-based court is unacceptable," added Clr Chapman.

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