THE planned closure of Ammanford Magistrates' Court has been slammed by the local MP.

Carmarthen East and Dinefwr member Jonathan Edwards said the coalition Government's decision to shut a string of courts around England and Wales would sever the connection between communities and justice.

"If these callous proposals do go ahead, then the notion of local justice is lost, and the entire ideal of fairness in our society is put at risk," he told fellow MPs in Westminster yesterday.

"Current plans would leave my constituency, for example, without a single court — and this is the story across many parts of Wales."

Ministers announced plans to shut the courthouse in Margaret Street, Ammanford, last month, one of 18 around Wales earmarked for closure to save money.

Responding to the debate for the Government, Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said the country needed fewer court buildings.

He said: "Recent improvements in transport and communication links mean people can travel further in less time if they need to, and more can be done to access justice online and by the telephone, reducing the circumstances when a visit to the court would be necessary."

Mr Djanogly said the closure plan would save £15.3 million a year in running costs, and would avoid a backlog of more than £25 million in maintenance costs.

A consultation on the plans runs until September 15.