RAWTENSTALL Magistrates' Court will open to the public later this month to give people an insight into justice past and present.

Two cases will be staged in the courtroom, one typical of those heard today and one with a 1940s theme.

Among the visitors will be the Mayors and Mayoresses of Burnley and Rossendale who will watch both cases.

People will also be invited to visit St Mary's Chambers to see displays by the Advisory Committee, the Courts Service, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Magistrates in the Community Project, the National Probation Service, Securicor Custodial Services, Telford Training, Witness Support and the Youth Offending Team.

Linda Thornber, chairman of the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Bench, said: "This is an opportunity to speak to magistrates and others involved in the magistrates' court to go into the courthouse and watch the way in which cases are presented in 2004 and see our interpretation of a 1940s case.

"We hope that people will find the visit informative and fun."

Courtroom dramas will be on Monday, May 31, starting at 10.30am, 11.15am, noon and 12.45pm.