THE campaign to save West Devon's magistrates' courts was given a fillip last week when the Government revealed they were among the most cost-effective in the country.

Nine courts in Devon and Cornwall, including Tavistock and Okehampton, are facing closure as part of a controversial decision taken by the local magistrates' court committee to save money — although Okehampton has been reprieved for 12 months.

The Government figures show it costs £18.67 for each case heard in Devon and Cornwall's magistrates' courts, the third lowest of more than 70 court districts in England and Wales and well below the national average of £27.63. Only Cleveland and Leicestershire managed a cheaper operation, while at Bromley in Kent it costs £53.20 per case.

West Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett said the figures would be very useful in the fight against the cuts.

'The Government talks about efficiency savings and demands a three per cent cut per annum, that's why the magistrates' court committee is seeking to close the courts, but that has never been properly explained to me. If they are already so very efficient, what more can they want?' he said. 'It's the economics of the mad-house — even if the Lord Chancellor's office saves a few thousand pounds, the additional costs for all the other agencies — the police, the probation service and so on — and witnesses will outweigh those paltry savings.'

Mr Burnett said there were so many other compelling reasons for keeping the courts open and he knew of no one else who supported the closures.

The courts handle a huge amount of work, including overflow work from an already over-stressed Plymouth system, where many local cases would be sent if the Tavistock court were closed.

In addition, the Plymouth courts are a long way from many places in West Devon and difficult to get to, especially on public transport.

'And we have local magistrates of a very high calibre who know the area very well — why take that away? It's beyond comprehension,' said Mr Burnett.

'But the worst thing about it is that it will deny access to justice — which is what this is all about — flying in the face of one of the principles of Government.'

He said Devon County Council was planning a meeting with Jane Kennedy, the Lord Chancellor's minister, to argue the case for keeping the courts open and he too was planning a meeting soon after.