JUSTICE has been served at an East Lancashire magistrates’ court for the last time.

Rossendale Magistrates’ Court, based at St Mary’s Chambers, in Rawtenstall, has closed it doors.

All criminal matters from Rawtenstall, Bacup and Haslingden, and the rest of the borough, will now be heard alongside Burnley and Pendle cases at the main Pennine courthouse in Parker Lane, Burnley.

The move by Her Majesty’s Court Service will also see a further 92 magistrates’ courts and 49 county courts closed in England and Wales.

The court closed for good on March 31.

Coun Tony Swain, leader of Rossendale Council, said: “I am extremely disappointed that the court has closed.

“It means people from Rossendale will now have to travel as far as Burnley.

“It is really sad that the people of Rossendale have lost yet another service.”

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

Staff are no longer based at the court and efforts are under way to empty the building.