THE magistrates bench in Bury has been strengthened with the addition of 15 new Justices of the Peace.

They were sworn in by Judge Knopf in a ceremony at Bury Magistrates Court. The new JPs bring the number of magistrates in Bury to 124.

Also attending the swearing-in were David Hudson, chairman of the bench, and Carolyn Shackleton, chairman of training and development.

The new JPs, who are about to begin training, come from a variety of backgrounds and represent all parts of the borough.

Bury Advisory Committee is currently recruiting new JPs and will soon be interviewing. If anyone is interested in becoming a JP, telephone 0161 447 8604.

The new magistrates are Mrs Pamela Bursk and Mrs Carol Cother, of Whitefield; Mr James Cropper, of Ashton under Lyne; Mrs Sandra Davenport, of Summerseat; Mr Ernest Earlam, of Hollins; Miss Susan Jones, of Tottington; Mrs Joan Hirst, Mrs Bernadine Paynter, Mr Michael Perrin, Mr Roger Sharp, Mr Ray Watts, Mr Alan Willcock and Mr Mick Wright, all of Bury, and Mr Alan Quinn and Mrs Patricia Taylor, of Prestwich.