The consultation period for the potential closure of Sutton Magistrates’ Court ended this week with many people fearing the 47-year-old courthouse could shut permanently.

Sutton’s magistrates and both MPs have rallied round the beleagured courthouse in the hope of saving it from closure - which could happen as early as February next year.

Pat Cook, chairman of the Sutton bench, said the magistrates had firmly rejected proposals which would see their court closed, along with 10 others in the capital.

She said: “The proposals for the wholesale closure of courts are short-sighted and will not deliver the savings that are claimed by HM Court Service. The consultation paper is short on reliable formation.

“Facts given are either incorrect or exaggerated to bolster their weak case. We have put forward alternative proposals that would see the court being retained with some of the space being used by tribunals or civil courts.”

MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow have also criticised the proposals and recently wrote to Lord Chancellor Ken Clarke to try to dissuade the Ministry of Justice from shutting the court down.

Mr Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, said: “I have yet to be convinced that the proposal to transfer the work of the Sutton court to Croydon is viable.

“These objections put the needs of constituents first, but also identify other options for meeting the objectives of the consultation.”

Mr Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, said: “I believe that the court offers a physical reminder of our commitment to maintaining law and order in the community. “Magistrates are local volunteers who understand the problems of the community in which they live.”

The Government hopes to save its annual operating cost of more than £340,000 a year, plus an extra £90,000 for maintenance work.

But Sutton’s criminal court is in fact the tenth cheapest court in the capital out of 33 and This compares to West London, Brent, Thames and Camberwell Green which all cost more than £1m to run each year.

In addition, the court has the fifth lowest outstanding maintenance bill, of £88,000, in London.

Do you think the court should be saved? Sign our online petition at suttonguardian.co.uk