JUSTICE Secretary Jack Straw has confirmed the closure of Nelson County Court after a 10-month wait.

Proposals to axe the Phoenix Chambers courthouse, and relocate services to Burnley County Court were first announced last winter.

The move would see a handful of staff, currently employed at Nelson, relocating to the courthouse in Hammerton Street.

Councillors in Nelson protested against the plans, fearing another local service would be lost to Burnley.

But the change was backed by a number of court users.