An MP has called for a debate in Parliament on the proposals to close Skipton magistrates court and county court.

Julian Smith, MP for Skipton and Ripon, is also holding a public meeting in Skipton next week to hear the views of residents and interested groups. He said: “I hope it will be a constructive event to discuss the issues and form a plan to try to stop the closure.”

He told the House of Commons it would have a devastating impact for local justice.

The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation which is inviting views on whether to close courts across the county.

Also facing the axe is Keighley magistrates court which sits in Bingley and the town’s county court. The cases would be sent to Bradford.

The plans have sparked opposition from lawyers who claim it will destroy the concept of local justice.

And Keighley’s former MP Ann Cryer has called for the empty police station in Keighley to be reopened as magistrates and county courts.