MID-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff says he will fight to retain Evesham's magistrates' court - if that's what residents want.

Mr Luff would like to hear from constituents if they are against the closure of the court, which could be implemented within six months.

If the court is shut down it would be replaced by a one-stop advice shop on the site which would include council and police services.

Mr Luff has been told by the West Mercia Magistrates Court Service that a formal consultation on the closure was due to start with a view to shutting the courthouse on November 30, 2002.

"When we fought the closure plans for Evesham last time we won a magnificent and unprecedented victory," said Mr Luff.

"Never before had the Lord Chancellor's department overturned a recommendation for closure of any magistrates' court.

"This time it would be harder, though.

"The district council is supporting some imaginative plans to safeguard the police presence on their current site, shared with the courthouse, and the Government is providing a significant sum of money to develop a new service to local people which could bring real benefits to the Vale.

"Also, the new courts are now open in Worcester and they provide much better facilities than at the old Worcester courts or at Evesham.

"Frankly, I still have serious reservations about the distance witnesses have to travel to Worcester from the Vale.

"I am also concerned about the way in which justice will be more distant from local people.

"I believe a community should have justice dispensed as locally as possible.

"But it is not for me to impose my views on Evesham and the Vale. It would be a tough fight to save the courts a second time - and it could wreck some other important plans.

"But I am willing to have a go if that's what local people want so I need to know what people think, urgently."