These images offer a fascinating look inside a magistrates' court which has sat empty for more than two-and-a-half-years.

Lowestoft Magistrates' Court was shut in September 2016 as part of widespread cutbacks which saw 86 court closures across the country.

The additional court closure of Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court left Suffolk with just one magistrates' complex, in Ipswich.

But its future was secured in October last year when local businessmen Peter Colby purchased the site from Homes England, the government agency in charge of selling the property.

Now, with Mr Colby asking for the public's ideas on how the site should be redeveloped, we took a tour around the mazy building for a glimpse into days gone by.

Despite not being operated as a fully functioning court for nearly three years, the premises are still full of furniture and stationery.

Rooms that once housed masses of important paperwork and criminal records are empty, leaving behind dozens of vacant shelves.

A trip down to the cells offers a taste of things were once like for detainees, some awaiting trial and others already convicted for their crimes.

The courtrooms themselves - three of them - have been left in largely the same state, although this time there are no rules against taking photos.

Take a look through the rest of our gallery for some eerie insight into the court's inner workings.

To submit your ideas for the redevelopment of Lowestoft Magistrates' Court, email Peter Colby via colbypg@aol.com.