LEIGH MP Lawrence Cunliffe is taking up the fight to keep Leigh Court with Cabinet Office Minister Mo Mowlam who is responsible for appointing local magistrates.

And he will tell her and the Lord Chancellor how the court, earmarked for closure in April, is an essential part of the community.

Mr Cunliffe is writing in a follow-up to a request he made last December.

He will point out that 93% of the magistrates are against the closure and 22% are considering resigning.

Mr Cunliffe says it is an "extremely serious situation".

He is calling on Dr Mowlem to have talks with the Lord Chancellor on how they are going to resolve a crisis of confidence in Manchester Magistrates' Courts Committee who made the decision last week.

Said Mr Cunliffe: "The advantage of local magistrates presiding over persons who are alleged to have offended against the Leigh community is one that should not be underestimated.

"I have served as Justice of the Peace and know the benefit of local people serving their community in this manner."

Mr Cunliffe said transport time and costs would be a hardship to court users.

He has told the Lord Chancellor the amalgamation of the Leigh and Wigan courts would compromise the efficient delivery of the courts service.

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