Solicitors hold Aberystwyth protest against court closures

Around 15 people held placards outside Aberystwyth Justice Centre

A group of solicitors have held a protest in Ceredigion against planned closures of courts.

The UK government is currently consulting on plans to close 91 courts and tribunals in England and Wales deemed to have surplus capacity.

Solicitors also warned changes to legal aid may lead to them being unable to help offenders and their families.

One of the protesters outside Aberystwyth Justice Centre, Alan Lewis, said "the system's in total meltdown".

Mr Lewis said the legal aid cuts mean there will be even fewer solicitors and rural areas in mid and west Wales will become "advice deserts", with people unable to get representation.

Another protester Iestyn Davies said people will struggle to attend courts.

He gave an example of those from south Gwynedd, who would need to travel around 50 miles to Caernarfon if Dolgellau Crown and Magistrates' Court closed.

Courts under threat in Wales

Brecon Law Courts

Bridgend Law Courts

Carmarthen Civil, Family, Tribunal and Probate Hearing Centre

Carmarthen Law Courts (The Guildhall)

Dolgellau Crown and Magistrates' Court

Holyhead Magistrates' Court

Llangefni Civil and Family Court

Neath and Port Talbot Civil and Family Court

Pontypridd Magistrates' Court

Prestatyn Magistrates' Court