Custody court cases set for axe in Burnley

ANOTHER major shake-up of the magistrates courts system in East Lancashire has been criticised by a senior county councillor and a former MP. Ministry of Justice bosses have confirmed Burnley, Pendle and Magistrates Court will no longer take custody cases from May 1. Remand hearings and sentencings potentially involving prison terms will then take place at Blackburn, according to the HM Courts Service.

Post Office strike will affect local town store

Talks between the company and the Communication Workers Union have broken down and five days of industrial action will begin on Monday. Chorley’s Cleveland Street site is the only remaining ‘Crown’ post office which will be affected by the proposed stoppages.