THE potential consequences of closing Tavistock's magistrates' court became clearer this week when it was revealed that a West Devon magistrate is to resign.

Christine Symons, 38, said she had been forced to give up because it would be impossible for her to travel to the Plymouth court and cope with her family. She has two young children. 'My responsibilities as a mother have to come first,' she said.

To get to a 10am court session by bus — the family only has one car — would mean her leaving home at 8.30am, she said, and for afternoon sessions she might not get home until 6pm or later.

Mrs Symons works two days a week as a nurse at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. With the court sitting in Tavistock, she can easily manage the three roles, she said, but if it moves to Plymouth it will be too much.

She handed in her notice as a magistrate earlier this month and will give up the bench at the end of the year, when the court is due to close. She said she was very disappointed to have to do so as she had enjoyed the work.

She has been a magistrate since 1989, having been appointed at the age of 27 — one of the youngest. 'It is a great mistake to close the court, as they may lose other younger magistrates, who may have a better understanding of some of the cases than the older magistrates,' she said.

Mrs Symons was hopeful that Devon County Council's appeal to the Lord Chancellor's Department against the closure might prevail, in which case she would re-consider her resignation.

The LCD is seeking to close local courts across the country to save money and increase efficiency. It is expected to respond to the county's appeal during January. The county is meanwhile studying whether to launch a High Court judicial review if its appeal is rejected.