PLANS to close Leigh Magistrates' Court are unjust.

That's the view of Wigan Council which has voted unanimously to oppose the proposal put forward by the North and West Greater Manchester Courts' Committee.

Leader, Cllr Peter Smith, will write personally to the Lord Chancellor outlining the case to keep the court open, and petitions will be placed in local town halls and Leigh Library.

All opposition must be submitted by January 3.

Cllr Mark Hale, who moved the resolution to fight the plan, which would see the court work transfer to Wigan, said: "The fig ures don't add up. There will be extra costs for organisations involved in justice in the area - including witnesses and local families. Innocent adults and children will have to travel further."

"I am asking the chief executive to formally write expressing the council's opposiition and council members to write individually." Cllr Keith Cunliffe said: "This council is working hard to revitalise Leigh. We have had no involvement in this decision yet unfortunately there are some who think we are responsible.

"The savings are just £37,000, which is nothing compared to the inconvenience to people living at the eastern end of the borough."

Cllr Brian Strett said: "Justice is not being served here. The court provides services to some 100,000 people. Those with small businesses are understandably very worried about the loss of trade, as are many residents who rely on public Transport.

Deputy Leader, Cllr Tom Sherratt, said there had been no proper consultation.

He added: "We are being presented with a fait accompli, but I can assure everyone that they haven't heard the last of this. At one time it was planned to extend Leigh Magistrates' Court, so why are they now trying to close it when it is being used more than ever before."

A report from Chief Executive, Steve Jones, to the policy committee, said: "Attendance at a more distant court would cause difficulties. Although the consultation paper refers to travel from Leigh to Wigan being seven miles, from extreme areas of the borough the distance is more like 12 miles.

"The proposal could have a profound effect on the recovery of council tax arrears. There is also a conviction that the government's new agenda may result in an increasing number of cases coming before the magistrates' court, with the inherent need for speed of process and adequate capacity."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.