ABERGAVENNY and Caerphilly Magistrates Courts are facing closure to save cash.

Abergavenny Magistrates Court on Tudor Street, which was pegged for closure in 2010, underwent a £500,000 refurbishment in the same year but is now facing the axe once again in plans announced yesterday by the Ministry of Justice, citing the poor state of repair for both the courts.

The Caerphilly Court on Mountain Road requires an estimated £1.4 million to improve it. An HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokesman said: "The service is consulting locally on proposals to close Abergavenny and Caerphilly Magistrates Courts.. The fall in criminal business across Gwent means that maintaining sittings in four separate locations does not represent the best use of the estate or taxpayers' money."

The closure of Abergavenny Magistrates Court will result in an annual saving of £30,000 and a saving of £50,000 for the court in Caerphilly. The Ministry of Justice gave better facilities at Cwmbran and Newport Magistrates Courts as a reason for the closure.

There are no administrative staff based at either court. Consultation closes on July 21. See this website for futher details.