THE leader of Teignbridge Council has added his voice of objection to the proposed closure of Newton Abbot and Totnes courthouses.

The authority's executive committee is meeting today to decide on whether it needs to send representations against the move to the Government.

Council leader Councillor Alan Connett said: "This will strike a blow to justice if the closures go ahead."

Newton Abbot and Totnes magistrates courts are among 157 which face being shut in a move which could save £15.3 million a year and a one-off maintenance backlog bill of £21.5 million.

A consultation process, instigated by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, is under way and set to end on Wednesday next week.

The proposal has provoked an outcry with magistrates, solicitors and court staff unions saying it would be detrimental to the justice system.

Mr Connett and other council leaders in Devon have already sent the Government a general letter of objection.

The executive will decide today if further pressure is needed to try and keep the courts open.

Mr Connett said shutting Newton Abbot court may have some 'resource implications' for officer costs, particularly in relation to travelling to Torquay, the only courthouse that would remain open in South Devon should the cuts get the go-ahead.

Mr Connett said: "I understand the Government wants to save money but this will strike a blow to justice. Justice has to be seen to be done. If the courts in both Teignbridge and Totnes are shut, leaving only one for the whole of South Devon in Torquay, where is the justice in that?

"This proposal may seem good for the bank balance but it isn't good for the judicial system. Another aspect to this is that people who live in Teignbridge, the South Hams or Torbay can go along to their local courthouse and see justice being dispensed.

"If that is taken away from them people will not see that being done and they will lose confidence in our justice system."

Newton Abbot court sits on a daily weekday basis. Its two courtrooms deal with a range of cases including non-police prosecutions, youth cases and specialist domestic violence court trials.

Totnes operates on an ad hoc basis, usually for family court hearings.