A GROUP of schoolchildren were given a taste of justice when they appeared before magistrates.

But the youngsters from Barnoldswick CE Primary School had not been taken to Reedley Magistrates because they had committed a crime.

They were taking part in a justice open day as part of Inside Justice Week to educate the public about the work of the court.

The 28 children played a variety of roles including the defendant, magist-rates and the clerk during a mobile phone theft trial.

The event, organised by Burnley, Pend-le and Rossendale magistrates bench, gave the Year 6 children, aged 10 to 11, a behind-the-scenes look at how justice works.

Melanie Darcy, headteacher at the York Street school, said: "They were asked what sort of punishment should be handed out and they wanted to send them to prison or hang them.

"But the appropriate punishment, a community order and the cost of the phone, was handed out.

"We took part in the open day because it fits in very well with the work we are doing in our citizenship classes, which look at being a responsible citizen and what their duties are.

"The children really enjoyed the morning. It was very good for them too because they will know in the future what happens if they break the law.

"So it has a preventative purpose too."

This event, on Friday, followed an event at Burnley Magistrates looking at how Justices make their decisions when Coronation Street star Sam Aston, who plays Chesney, took the role of an ASBO teen called Kevin charged with breaching his anti-social behaviour order. Other highlights of that day included two youth court cases, a drugs case, a demonstr-ation of tagging, how speed cameras work, police displays and a magistrates' recruitment stand.

Inside Justice Week is funded by Her Majesty's Court Service and held every three to four years. Events are held across the country aimed at giving people an insight into the justice system in England and Wales.