QUESTION marks have been raised over the future of some of the nine remaining courthouses in North Yorkshire.

Over the past six years a number of local courts, including those at Stokesley, Easingwold and Thirsk, have been closed in an attempt by the county magistrates' courts committee to work within budget restrictions and make the system more efficient.

But a new report by Mr Kit Chivers, chief inspector of the magistrates' courts service inspectorate, said this week that most of the remaining courts were still under-used. Nine courts remain operating, including Northallerton, Pickering and Whitby.

The nine have a total of 21 courtrooms, but Mr Chivers said that in 1999 only two courtrooms at York came close to being used for 1,000 hours and 14 were used for less than 500 hours.

The future of Richmond courthouse is believed to be in the balance in a forthcoming review of accommodation by the county magistrates' courts committee.

Mr Chivers acknowledged that the rural nature of North Yorkshire meant a service had to be provided at a relatively large number of sites, but said the operation of nine small courthouses was having a negative impact on the efficient use of resources by both the courts committee and other criminal justice agencies.

The accommodation review would have to explore all elements fully to ensure that a balance was struck between providing a local service and the efficient conduct of business.

There was scope for more efficient management of cases through better control of court lists and flow of business on the day.

Mr Chivers, who made nine recommendations for improvement, said courts performed well in processing persistent young offender cases, a specific government priority, and steps had been taken to improve collection and payment of fines.

Mr Paul Bradley, chief exec utive to the justices, said the committee accepted the recommendations and would ensure they were fully implemented. "Despite stringent budget restrictions, the committee has invested significant time and effort to ensure the successful modernisation of the courts service.