Market Drayton Magistrates Court sits for final time

Market Drayton Magistrates Court was due to sit for the last time today after being short-listed for closure as part of Government spending cuts.

Five criminal and civil courts across the county are to close as part of the cuts.

Zoe Campbell, spokeswoman for Her Majesty's Courts Service, said Market Drayton would have its last sitting today but will not be officially closing until Friday.

The Cheshire Street court typically sat twice a week. Its workload will now be sent to Shrewsbury.

It has been one of the main magistrates courts serving north Shropshire.

Other courts in Shropshire due to close include Oswestry and Ludlow.

Oswestry magistrates sat for the last time yesterday and chairman of the bench, Mr John Abram said the closure would have "an adverse impact" on court users having to travel to Shrewsbury.

An HMCS spokesperson said: "The Government is committed to supporting local justice, enabling justice to be done and be seen to be done in our communities.

"Closures will ultimately help to modernise and improve the use of courts in England and Wales.

"Keeping under-utilised courts open is simply not a good use of taxpayers' money and resources must be targeted to best effect in order to provide value for money."