A GOVERNMENT minister has promised campaigners fighting to save Bolton's Magistrates Courts they will not be ignored at Whitehall.

And Michael Wills MP, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Lord Chancellor, has written to Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon assuring him opposition will get "full consideration".

The Greater Manchester Magistrates Courts Committee has recommended the closure because, it says the courts are too old to be modernised.

Bolton Council can ask the Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine of Lairg, to decide the courts' fate if GMCCC chiefs go ahead with their threat to close them. Mr Wills told Dr Iddon: "Let me assure you that your representations, together with all other representations received, will be placed on file.

"Should an appeal be lodged by a paying authority to the Lord Chancellor, they will be given full consideration before any final, binding decisions are made."

Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of Bolton Council, said he welcomed Mr Wills comments but said he hoped it would not be necessary to take the issue to the Lord Chancellor.

He said: "I would hope the GMMCC would be fair and consider other options such as improving the court buildings.

"But we would lodge an appeal to the Lord Chancellor without a moment's hesitation should they decide to close the courts.

"There is the prospect of increased cases for the magistrates courts due to legislation currently going through Parliament which means that they would take cases off the crown courts.

"This shows that there is absolutely no question that the need will be greater for the courts to stay open in Bolton."

The BEN has received more than 3,000 signatures from readers angry at the planned closure.