THE future of Minehead magistrates' court - mothballed since January - is to be decided by Justice Secretary Jack Straw.

The Ministry of Justice announced this week that a consultation would be held on the long-term closure of the Minehead building, with court users and other interested parties being asked for their views.

But the fate of the facility appears to have been sealed, after the Ministry described Minehead as "underused and inadequate" and handling "very low levels of work".

"The facilities at the court are poor and the accommodation is no longer suitable for the provision of court services," a spokesman said in a statement.

Offenders are currently having to travel to Taunton to have their cases heard, where according to the Ministry, victims and witnesses, as well as all court users benefit from better facilities.

These are said to include safer waiting areas and improved access to the courtrooms.

"Relocating the court business to Taunton has had no detrimental impact on the waiting times for cases," said the spokesman.

However, Bridgwater and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said the impact would be "extremely detrimental".

He added: "I would urge people to get involved in the consultation, especially people who might be up before the magistrates as they have to travel to Taunton.

"It is outrageous and unjust, and I am writing to Jack Straw to say so."

But Mr Straw has insisted that the proposed change to Minehead would help deliver a more modern justice service which puts the needs of victims and witnesses first, while providing best value for taxpayers.

When court sessions ended in the town, chairman of the Taunton and West Somerset bench Dick Macey said he and fellow JPs were unhappy about it and insisted that it was only a temporary measure at that stage.

Swingeing budget cuts forcing Her Majesty's Court Service in Avon and Somerset to find £500,000 savings last year and a possible £1 million this year were blamed for the mothballing, coupled with a reduction in the level of business handled by the court.

Increasing 'out of court' disposals for a range of offences - from fixed penalties to cautions - have led to around a 50 per cent reduction in the number of offences dealt with courts across the South West, compared to four or five years ago.

The Minehead court, one of 21 around the country facing the axe, has fought off a number of closure threats in the past five years or so.

Local solicitor Ian Denley has consistently opposed the closure and told the Free Press this week that offenders from West Somerset were being disadvantaged.

"This consultation should have been carried out months ago and as far as I can see, it is a done deal," he said.

"Money will be at the heart of this and access to local justice will not be a consideration.

"It is very disappointing."

The final decision will be made by Mr Straw following the consultation, which ends on January 5.

In a statement he said: "Going to court should not place undue stress on victims and witnesses of crime.

"We have made significant improvements in the facilities for court users.

"However, many of the courts we are consulting on closing do not have suitable facilities for victims and witnesses.

"In addition, a number of buildings do not allow adequate access for disabled court users. I do not believe it would provide good value for money to bring these buildings up to the required standard at the taxpayers' expense.

"These proposals set out a positive step forward to ensuring that HMCS provides sufficient accessibility whilst directing and prioritising its resources to where they most matter for the communities it serves."