SCORES of local people have backed the Gazette's campaign urging the Government to reconsider closing Kendal's criminal and civil court.

The Burneside Road building is one of 91 courts across the country being recommended for closure under cost-cutting measures by The Ministry of Justice.

Last week the Gazette launched its ‘Keep Justice Local’ campaign and asked readers to send in their support in the form of a coupon. These will eventually be sent to the Ministry.

The strength of feeling about the controversial proposal was evident as people in towns including Kendal, Bowness, Ulverston, Flookburgh, Barrow, Penrith, Ackenthwaite, Windermere, Ambleside, Holme and Burton-in-Kendal all showed their concern.

Kendal’s court building currently deals with criminal court business in the adult and youth courts, family court work such as adoption hearings and civil work including divorce, housing possession, High Court and bankruptcy.

The plan is to move its workload to Barrow Magistrates’ Court and County Court, forcing victims, witnesses and defendants - as well as individuals and businesses involved in civil cases - to make a 40-mile journey.

Local solicitors warn the move could cause ‘massive delays’ in the legal system, increase police workload and disadvantage the most vulnerable members of society,

But the Ministry of Justice says the court costs £241,000 a year to run and last year only operated at 13 per cent of its capacity.

Meanwhile, a petition set up by solicitors at Milne Moser in Kendal has attracted more than 250 signatures.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has urged residents to join the campaign to protect the court and said: “Access to justice is a fundamental human right and I believe must be as local as possible. If the court closes it will, potentially, have a major impact on organisations like Cumbria Police so I hope we can work together to make the case to keep the court open."

l A poll on The Westmorland Gazette's website asked 'Is it right to close Kendal Magistrates' Court to save costs?' The result was: Yes - 18 per cent, No - 82 per cent.

* To sign the Gazette's Keep Justice Local campaign, please print off the coupon above and send it to Katie Dickinson, Newsroom, 1 Wainwright's Yard, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4DP