A new role for the magistrates' clerk

The world is now a stage for Mr Eccles, who has put criminal, youth and family courts behind him and is looking forward to spending more time on his hobbies, particularly the theatre and amateur dramatics.

As he prepared to say goodbye to his colleagues, Mr Eccles reflected on four decades of the law and the many changes he had seen from the time murders were rare and drugs offences virtually unheard of.

It all started for the father-of-two and local methodist preacher at Nelson Borough, Burnley and Colne PSD, where Mr Eccles began as general assistant - after clinching a job his mother had fancied!

Fresh from two years' banking and two years' National Service in the RAF, Mr Eccles stepped into the arms of the law.

Eleven years later, in May 1973, and then a senior court clerk, he moved to Burnley as principal assistant. Mr Eccles became deputy justices clerk at Burnley and has been there ever since - most recently with the title "legal adviser."

He lives in Nelson and has opted for early retirement at 60.

In the "early days," while there were some "vicious characters" in Burnley, public order offences were not as prevalent, neither were burglaries to feed drug addictions and courts were always finished at lunchtime, compared with the all and every day sittings of today. As crime has changed, so has the punishment. Mr Eccles said: 'There are far more community-based penalties today, to try and avoid sending people to prison.

"I go along with that as if you can get somebody to realise the error of their ways without locking them up, it is better for them and better for the public, as it certainly costs a lot less to the state.

Mr Eccles has worked in all avenues of court proceedings and admits at times it has been difficult to leave his work behind.

He said: "I find family and youth courts upsetting. There are so many families who just don't seem to be able to get on.

"Many children in the youth courts come from broken homes. I certainly find it tragic there are so many broken homes which so often lead to juvenile crime." Mr Eccles had also seen at first hand the soar in drug-related crime - and also how drugs destroy many young lives.

He said: "You can see lads deteriorating until they finally kill themselves.

"It is clearly a problem and very distressing to see how drugs takes hold of young lives."

Mr Eccles is now seeing grandchildren of criminals he first dealt with 40 years ago and says its really up to offenders to help themselves.

"He went on: "It comes down to the person themselves to realise its just a mug's game. If only they sat down and thought about it."

While he admits he has been glad to see the backs of some people - it's been rewarding when criminals go on the straight and narrow - Mr Eccles confesses he will be sorry to leave behind the many friends he has made.

He said: "The variety of work and the people you come into contact with are what makes the job so interesting.

"You build up a relationship, not just with your own staff but also the magistrates. "I have helped to train all the justices currently sitting and that relationship is very important.

"You have got to have a different kind of relationship with advocates.

"I feel we have been very well served with solicitors in this area and always had a good relationship. It has been a pleasure to work with them."

Now he will have more time on his hands, Mr Eccles will be able to concentrate on his first love, the theatre.

He is a member of Burnley Garrick Theatre Club and Nelson Civic Players and will be taking part in a production in May.

Fortunately his wife Jean, a school nursery assistant, shares his passion and the couple soon plan to take in a few shows in London.

They have two sons - David, 30, and Paul, 26.

Mr Eccles, a member of Nelson Independent Methodist Church, is fully involved with its work. He also enjoys photography and travelling.

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