CHORLEY people were court in the act at a special open day in the town.

Chorley magistrates court on St Thomas's Road, threw open its doors for a one-off event -- allowing locals to see for themselves exactly what does happen during court proceedings.

Anthony Dickinson, spokesman for the court said: "We had in excess of 300 members of the public through the door and about 70 other willing hands including magistrates and staff.

"There's a perception that the court is cloaked in mystery, but magistrates are people from the community acting on behalf of the rest of the community.

"The aim was just to open the court up for the local community and let them see what they court is doing for them."

Members of the public were able to sit and watch cases, with a properly constituted bench, and actors taking some of the roles. They then voted on what they thought the outcome should be, and this was compared with the court's decision. Visitors were also treated to tours of the court by magistrates.

Mr Dickinson continued: "The courts are always open but people don't know that. It's doing a serious job for the local population and the local population don't always get the chance to come in."

Perhaps the happiest visitor of the day was ten-year-old John Stevens of Railway Road, Chorley, who won two tickets to Camelot theme park for coming top in a special children's quiz featuring questions about the court.

The event follows on from a similar day at Ormskirk last year, and Leyland before that. Preston magistrates court will be holding its own open day next week.