THE wheels of justice grind slowly, but in Southampton yesterday they almost came to a stop - and it had nothing to do with the weather.

Staff from the city's courts of justice walked out as part of a two-day civil service stoppage in pursuit of better pay, disrupting business at the crown and county courts.

Two trials at the crown court had to be postponed, leaving only three of the four courts working, while the county court had a shortened list of cases.

Staff held a peaceful picket outside the London Road complex.

At Winchester Law Courts, the action was also expected to disrupt the service.

Rod White, circuit administrator, said: "The indications are the work of the court will be affected. We don't know precisely how much."

Mr White said the counter and telephone service may be reduced, with working staff concentrating on keeping the courts open.

Chris Maple, spokesman for the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), said: "We are trying to highlight to the public that the civil service treasury and management have imposed a derogatory pay offer on the majority of people working in the offices.

"We are simply asking for a fair day's pay for a fair day's work. Staff are working long hours and not being paid extra for overtime, and the offer is below inflation."

Nationally, more than 20,000 civil servants were expected to take part in the action, crippling courts, immigration work, prison transfers and prison administrative procedures, with the walk-out co-ordinated by the PCS.

A strike by 86,000 civil servants in job centres and benefits agencies was called off at the eleventh hour, pending further talks.