A BUSY Hampshire court that handles thousands of cases a year could be axed to save money, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Officials are discussing the possibility of “mothballing” New Forest Magistrates’ Court, in Lyndhurst as part of a major cost-cutting drive.

If the building closes defendants will have to travel from the Forest to Southampton Magistrates’ Court to have their cases heard.

New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis is planning to raise the issue in Parliament.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said no decision had been made but refused to make any further comment.

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