DEBT collectors have recovered £100,000 from offenders who owe fines to Bolton Magistrates' Court.

Earlier this year shock figures revealed that £1.2million of unpaid fines was owed to the court.

But in just three months three civilian debt collectors have reduced that figure by £100,000 to £1.1 million.

And they have pledged that the blitz on clearing the debts will continue for the foreseeable future.

Although the court has an excellent collection rate of 92 per cent for April, May and June, there are still 7,290 outstanding accounts waiting to be paid.

There are also 1,900 outstanding warrants for fine dodgers.

Earlier this year, a range of measures were launched under Operation Payback to try to tackle the problem of fine dodgers.

Three civilian court debt collectors have been knocking on offenders' doors in an effort to recoup their fines. They also had the power to arrest people and take them back to court.

The enforcement officers visited more than 300 homes and collected hundreds of pounds and two people were jailed for non-payment of fines.

Graham Rutherford, manager at the courts, said they were slowly recouping the money but there was still a long way to go.

He said the collection rate is one of the highest in Greater Manchester and 96 pence of every pound is collected.

The amount of outstanding money owed by offenders continually changes as fines are imposed and people slowly pay off their debt.

Mr Rutherford said: "Operation Payback was so successful we are planning to do another one.

"Letters are being sent out to non-payers warning them to pay off what they owe because we will be coming to collect it.

"It is an ongoing battle. People are fined every day. Some pay up, some struggle to make their payments and others just have no intention of paying anything.

"It is not going to happen overnight but the figure owed is slowly coming down.

"We take this matter very seriously and we are looking at co-operating with the police on the execution of warrants."

An open day is being held at Bolton Magistrates Court on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30, between 10am and 4pm. Visitors can have a tour of the building, watch mock trials or view the new video link equipment.