A Sussex MP is to meet with fellow Government ministers to try to save a magistrates' court that has been threatened with closure.

The Ministry of Justice has announced plans to shut Lewes Magistrates' Court which it said is not providing value for money.

The court is one of 103 magistrates' courts and 54 county courts across England and Wales that are threatened with closure.

The plan, which includes closing the county court and magistrates' court in Haywards Heath, is planned to save more than £35 million a year.

Lewes MP Norman Baker will meet with Courts Minister Jonathan Djanogly to try to convince him to spare the town's magistrates' court as a “special case”.

He said: “Everyone understands that there is a need to reduce public spending but it is vital that this is done only where appropriate.

“I believe that there is a strong case for keeping the magistrates' court in Lewes open.”