COUNTY council leader Peter Chalke is urging people to fight the decision made by the Magistrates Courts' Committee to close courts in Devizes and Trowbridge.

The decision comes after a league table announced that Wiltshire had the most inefficient courtrooms in the country.

The Conservative leader is backing campaigns led by local councillors opposing the decision to shut down the courts.

Mr Chalke said: "If we shut the courts in Devizes and Trowbridge, people in rural areas are going to be stuck and it's a real fear that some may not turn up."

Under the proposals, Trowbridge Magistrates Court is set to close on March 31 next year, and Devizes is expected to follow suit as soon as a new courthouse is built in Salisbury.

Mr Chalke said: "I am urging everyone to object to this decision and contact the Magistrates Courts' Committee."

Wiltshire Magistrates' Courts Committee is under pressure from the Lord Chancellor's Department to close six of its courtrooms in the county because, it is claimed, they are under-used.

Trowbridge and Devizes courtrooms have been targeted because of criticisms levelled against them of inadequate facilities. Prisoners in custody cannot be dealt with at either court because the existing facilities contravene the Human Rights Act and it would be too costly to upgrade them.

John Bush, the chairman of the committee, said: "It is regrettable that we have to close Trowbridge Court.

"It is a beautiful building and it has been a court house for a long time, but we can't afford to keep it running."

To complain about the decision to close the courtrooms write to Graham Paul Wilcock, Justices Chief Executive, Wiltshire Magistrates Service, PO Box 13, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2XQ.