SUPPORTERS of a £50,000 fighting fund to save Trowbridge Magistrates' Court believe the battle can be won despite the fund total still running at zero.

Trowbridge town council has received several letters of support from parish councils backing the fund but no financial contributions to kick off the campaign.

The lack of funds will come as a blow to campaigners who need to raise £50,000 to fund a judicial review into the Lord Chancellor's decision to close the court.

Campaign co-ordinator Angela Milroy believes the fight can be won with controversial arbitrary decisions needing to be challenged.

"So a judicial review has never been successful against the Lord Chancellor. Does that mean that no one should ever challenge any decision he makes? Should we always accept the dictates of central government and never stand up for local people?" Mrs Milroy said.

"Some people said it was inevitable that the Record Office would go to Devizes. It didn't. The likelihood of it going to Chippenham gets smaller by the day.

"Arbitrary decisions must be challenged. They can be fought and defeated."

Cllr Jeff Osborn is one of several councillors who believes the fund is doomed with efforts needing to be concentrated on finding an alternative use for the old town hall.

He said: "We need to be realistic. Nice try but we have to move on.

"No one is supporting it. It is difficult enough to get the parishes to support things in the town centre when it comes to money."

A feasibility study will be carried out by building owners Wiltshire County Council to find an alternative use for the building, in the heart of Trowbridge town centre.

It is widely accepted the building will remain in the public sector and will not be sold off for commercial gain.

The study results will be published in September.