VISITORS to an open day at Bolton Magistrates Court have whole-heartedly supported the BEN's campaign to keep it open.

Local justice came under scrutiny as the doors to the closure-threatened court were opened to the public as part of Bolton Festival yesterday.

Cllr Kevan Helsby, Mayor of Bolton, attended the event as people enjoyed visiting court rooms and witnessing mock trials in action -- with the chance to deliver their own verdict.

Magistrates were there to talk about their work and answer questions.

Alex Carlos, Clerk to the Justices, said that, despite keeping the event low key and on a relatively small scale, it had been a "great success."

He said: "The purpose of the event was to support the magistracy and remove some of the myths surrounding the court.

"People should know the important civic role which the court plays in the borough.

"It also helps to raise the profile of the magistrates." BOLTON Magistrates Court faces closure if plans for a centralised court system is given the green light.

Local justice will be dispensed from courts in surrounding areas like Wigan and Bury.

The BEN is campaigning to stop that from happening.

And visitors to the open day added their support to the BEN campaign.

Andrew Sidebottom, aged 39, Mayfield Avenue, Reddish: "Yes, I support the campaign.

"If the court closes I wonder where the overspill is going to go.

"The courts are already saturated and I would like to see Bolton Magistrates remain within the town.

"As well as the inconvenience, I am concerned that there will be a loss of cases being processed and justice will suffer."

Alan Houghton, aged 45, Skagen Court, Bolton: "If the court closes, it will shift the workload somewhere else.

"People will be having to travel to Manchester and it will mean a big inconvenience to ushers, police, witnesses and the defendants.

"I want to see local justice staying where it is."

Joan Connolly, aged 60, Towers Avenue, Bolton: "The people of Bolton depend on this court.

"If it closes, they will have to travel great distances and it will be difficult for them to get there.

"I would very much like to see the court remain where it is. If it goes, I think it will affect the town in a big way."

James Redfern, aged 54, St James Avenue, Bolton: "It is a shame that in a town this big, the courts have to be moved away.

"People are going to have to travel to Manchester and Bury, but is Bolton not bigger than Bury?

"In a town like this, there should be court facilities. This would just mean more expense for the police and inconvenience for everyone.

"I support the campaign to keep the court open."

Kevin Maher, aged 19, Chorley New Road: "It would be a shame to get rid of the court.

"It should be renovated and not removed. Closing it will just cause inconvenience and expense."

Maureen Graham, aged 60, of Lostock: "I think it is imperative the court remains.

"We need magistrates to have local knowledge when people come to court. The understanding will not be there and losing the court will demote the status of the town.

"We have the wonderful Reebok Stadium and other important facilities, but losing the court will demote us.

"I back the campaign 110 per cent and will be doing everything I can to drum up support."