A CELLS shortage has sparked fears that a Cleveland court may have to close.

The magistrates' court at Guisborough could be shut down unless the government agrees to pay for essential cell facilities. Its future hangs on a bid for cash to build cells for defendants.

But the committee which handles behind-the-scenes work at local courts is pledging to fight to keep the building open.

The court previously used cells at the nearby Guisborough police station, but since this was closed, there have been restrictions on the type of cases JPs can hear.

Cleveland magistrates' courts committee chairman, Mr David Moreton, said: "It is difficult to hear cases involving people who may be taken into custody. We use Redcar cells when we can, but that means bringing people in police vans and prisoners can only be kept in such vehicles for a short time without breaching human rights."

He said the committee was awaiting the outcome of the bid to build a cell complex at a cost of up to £150,000.

The Lord Chancellor is reviewing courthouse usage and so is reluctant to make funds easily available for cells to be attached to the court building.

"We are committed to trying to keep this court open and able to deal with the full range of cases as a service to the people of East Cleveland," said Mr Moreton.

"But if this situation continues, closure would be the only realistic option with resources diverted to Middlesbrough in a joint operation.

"We have been beavering away at this since the police station closed 18 months ago, but we don't feel we are much nearer a decision.

"The court sits four days a week and is busy. Everything about it is right, except the difficulty with the cells."

Mr Moreton said people from East Cleveland should not be expected to travel to Middlesbrough to have their cases heard.

The committee's annual report, released this week, claims unfair treatment under the funding system. It says money allocated by the Lord Chancellor's department made Cleveland magistrates courts committee the fifth most poorly funded of the country's 42 committees.

Courts in Middlesbrough, Guisborough and Hartlepool handled 1.6pc of the national workload but received only 1.2pc of the budget.

"It has been a struggle to meet waiting times," said Mr Moreton.

He said there was also a shortage of magistrates and urged people to apply for an information pack on 01642 261612 for Middlesbrough and Guisborough and 01429 230612 for Hartlepool.