BOLTON MP Ruth Kelly today backed the fight to save Bolton Magistrates Court -- and urged as many people as possible to sign the BEN's petition.

The Bolton West MP said closing the historic Le Mans Crescent building would severely effect local justice, saying magistrates in Bury should not hear Bolton cases.

Ms Kelly said: "I will do everything in my power as an MP to make sure we keep a magistrates court in Bolton. I would also urge people to get behind the campaign and sign the petition.

"I think it is essential that a town the size of Bolton has got its own magistrates court."

Ms Kelly put pen to paper and signed the Bolton Evening News petition at a special stand inside the Market Hall, after meeting with Greater Manchester Magistrates Court Committee chief executive Glenys Stacey.

Ms Kelly added: "It was a very constructive meeting and I put the argument to her very strongly. Bolton must have a magistrates court."

It is felt that more than 20,000 signatures are needed to show how strongly people in the town feel about the proposals.

The GMMCC plans to close the building in Le Mans Crescent and move all the work to Bury.

A wide-ranging consultation is now taking place, which will take into account opinions of everyone from members of the bench to local people.

Magistrates are strongly against the proposals and would like to see either the current building renovated, or a new courthouse built.

The campaign could continue for the rest of the year, with the court able to launch an appeal to the Lord Chancellor if the plans are given the go-ahead.