As the fight to save Lowestoft Magistrates' Court gathers pace, The Journal is today launching a campaign to Keep Justice Local.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) proposed earlier this year that the combined magistrates' and county court building in Old Nelson Street should be shut to save money.

That move has been widely opposed, with the police and crime commissioner, temporary chief constable of Suffolk Police, MPs and community leaders this week labelling the plans as 'nonsense' and 'unacceptable'.

Journal editor Andrew Papworth said: 'There is very little time left to save the court, so we are urging our readers to get behind the campaign to keep it open. Shutting Lowestoft Magistrates' Court would have a huge impact on people attending court. That means people might not get the justice they deserve.

'If you care about local justice, please join the fight to keep it open.'

Waveney MP Peter Aldous, who has secured a debate in Parliament on the issue next week, has said that Suffolk is being 'short-changed' because it will be left with just one magistrates' court in Ipswich dealing with all cases across the county.

Read today's Journal for the full story.