A Frome solicitor has said that a Government proposal which could see the closure of the town's magistrates' court is a "direct assault" on Frome.

Frome magistrates' court could be closed after the Government

announced cost-cutting proposals to courts across the UK.

The cuts are set to be made over the next five years, beginning in April next year.

If the cuts are implemented the seven courts in Avon and Somerset could be reduced to three and with Frome one of those that could face the chop, resulting in job losses.

Solicitor John Killah said if the court is earmarked for closure it would be a travesty for the town.

He said: "What is being proposed is utterly contemptuous.

"The people of Frome should be aware that this is a direct assault on their town.

"To be effective justice must and should remain locally dispensed by local people who understand their community.

"However, this announcement comes as no surprise.

"This is a time for those that care about the town, justice and access to justice to stand up and be counted."

Frome MP David Heath said it was absolutely vital for local justice to keep magistrates court open, particularly in a town such as Frome.

He said: "Frome will soon be the only magistrates court in the Mendip area.

"Expecting witnesses and victims to travel significant distances in order for cases to be heard is a recipe for delays, extra costs and simply doesn't provide for justice in the local community."

Local magistrates have said the closure would massively impact on witnesses and victims who would find it increasingly difficult to get to court due to the distance they would have to travel, causing inevitable delays to the judicial process.

The news comes a week after Justice Secretary Jack Straw called for a review into the number of criminal cases which are dealt with by the police rather than the court system.

He criticised the rate at which offenders were being given on-the-spot fines or cautions and said he wanted to see more brought before magistrates and judges.

A spokesman for Her Majesty's Courts Service said no decisions about closures had yet been made.