A NEW community-focused Courts Board will mean that Swindon residents get a greater say in the administration of justice.

Next year Wiltshire is to set up a Courts Board one of 42 across England and Wales as part of a move to create greater involvement in how local courts are run.

The board will consist of seven members, one judge, two magistrates, two people experienced in how courts operate such as lawyers or victim support members and two ordinary members.

The Courts Board will scrutinise, review and make recommendations about how local courts are run, where they are located and how service can be improved.

But they will not be involved in judicial decisions, such as sentencing.

Swindon's court manager Norman Jeffrey said: "It's the Government's intention to provide the community with a say in the way courts are run and greater community involvement has got to be a good thing."

Recruitment will start soon with members appointed for up to three years. They will be paid a nominal fee.