monday BOLTON magistrates hope to raise the profile of the town's axe-threatened courts with an open day next month.

The Le Mans Crescent courts are threatened with closure after Greater Manchester court chiefs said it would cost too much to modernise them.

But JPs hope to take advantage of the open day to get the public behind the BEN's campaign to save the courts.

If the courts are closed, Bolton's cases will be dealt with instead by magistrates from Bury, Manchester, Trafford and Wigan.

Alex Carlos, clerk to the justices, said: "The purpose of the event is to support the magistracy and remove some of the myths which surround the workings of the court.

"Members of the public should know the important civic role which the court plays within the borough."

The event, on Sunday, September 2, is part of the Bolton Festival and was planned before it was announced that the court was threatened with closure.

People can visit courtrooms, witness mock trials, speak to the magistrates, and meet representatives from the probation service, victim support service and bail support scheme for young offenders.

The courthouse will be open from 10am to 4.30pm. Admission is free, but by ticket only. Tickets can be collected from the Bolton Festival Ticket Office in the town hall. To find out more, ring the court on 01204 558200.