CONTROVERSIAL proposals have been put forward to axe all courts sittings in Rawtenstall to save nearly £356,000.

Under plans just unveiled by Her Majesty’s Court Service (HMCS), both the town’s magistrates and county courts would be closed.

Court bosses said every defendant in a criminal case, or a private prosecution, must travel to Burnley in future.

For family matters, civil and divorce claims, people from Rawtenstall, Bacup and Haslingden would be transferred to Accrington’s County Courthouse.

One leading lawyer has voiced his “shock” at the proposed changes, which are out for public consultation until September.

And he has predicted it will only lead to hardship for clients who have to travel an extra four of five miles to attend hearings.

Stephen Draper, a director of Waterfoot-based Walkers Solicitors, said: “I am shocked and disappointed.

"I don’t see how this will improve the administration of justice in Rossendale.

“We are based in the heart of Rossendale and it is convenient for our clients, and ourselves, to get to Rawtenstall.

"But this will affect clients who don’t have their own transport and have to get to the likes of Burnley and Accrington.

"You cannot always rely upon public transport to get you to a hearing on time and not everyone lives on a bus route.”

Consultation documents show it would take £225,000 to carry out wide-ranging maintenance works needed at the magistrates’ courthouse, in St Mary’s Chambers, off Haslingden Road, which currently costs £73,739 to run each year.

A HMCS spokesman said: “The accommodation at Rawtenstall is unsuitable for the delivery of services and the facilities are unable to support the vision of the service in delivering access to justice, and increasing speed, confidence and respect.”

Court leaders are unhappy that there is no proper disabled access to the magistrates’ court building.

The closure of the county court faciltiies would save £96,413 in running costs and avoid the need for repairs totalling £65,000.

Five staff work at the county courts and extra security staff are employed for magistrates’ court sittings.