AN MP has hit back at allegations that he helped contribute to the possible closure of Bolton Magistrates Court.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby refutes claims that the way he had voted on a bill in Parliament had led to a situation that put the courts under threat.

And he said that a letter he had sent to the Lord Chancellor proved how committed he was to keeping the town's magistrates court open.

As reported in yesterday's BEN, Tory councillor John Walsh spoke out at a meeting of Bolton Council and he blamed local MPs Ruth Kelly, Brian Iddon and David Crausby for backing legislation which led to the setting up of a single magistrates court committee for the whole of Greater Manchester.

Cllr Walsh said: "These three MPs -- Brian Iddon, Ruth Kelly and David Crausby -- all voted for it. I think we should know the facts and how we came to arrive in this situation."

Mr Crausby has referred to a letter he sent to the Lord Chancellor, Derry Irvine, a copy of which he has sent to the BEN, condemning and opposing the move to close Bolton Magistrates Court.

Mr Crausby said: "Cllr Walsh's words are cheap and unworthy. However I can prove that I am fighting from the front in opposing the proposed closure.

"My letter to Lord Irvine of Lairg clearly shows my position of absolute opposition to centralising magistrates courts in Greater Manchester."

In the letter, Mr Crausby writes: "Bolton stretches right up to the Lancashire border in the north. This proposal would require police based many miles from Manchester in places like Horwich having to make journeys to Trafford on busy roads and motorways.

"It was my understanding that we wanted to maximise the amount of time the police were on the streets in the community.

"There are also many local legal firms that have built up around the magistrates court activity in Bolton and this is also a factor that ought to be considered when discussions about the future of our magistrates courts are taking place."

He concludes: "I wish to register with you my wholesale opposition to Bolton Magistrates Court being closed and hope that you can find the time to keep a close eye on this issue."

He added: "Cllr Walsh only lessens our chances of success with his unhelpful comments. I would suggest that if he has nothing positive to contribute to a very important campaign he keeps quiet and allows more able politicians to get on with the job of looking after the interests of Bolton people."