Lancaster's former magistrates' court reopens as Nightingale Court during Covid-19 pandemic

The court, furnished by Waring and Gillow of Lancaster, was established when the present Lancaster Town Hall opened in 1909.

One noteworthy case in 1935 was the starting point for the major trial of Dr Buck Ruxton for the murder of his wife and housekeeper.

Each Mayor of Lancaster served as an ex-officio magistrate for their year of office until 1974.

Irene Melling JP, also appointed a magistrate in 2000, said: "Following a phone call from our bench chairman, I was invited to sit in the first Nightingale Court in Lancaster.

"I was privileged to be one of the first three magistrates to sit in this building for a long while.

"This is such an iconic courtroom with its oak panelling and vaulted ceiling and is an ideal venue to help clear the backlog of cases we currently have in the system."

Nightingale Courts are part of the Government's plan to alleviate pressure on the courts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Chairman of Lancashire Magistrates, Paul Wright JP, said: "Having never been into Lancaster Town Hall before, I couldn't believe that such a lovely piece of history was literally preserved in aspic. I'm delighted that it has been put to good use."

The court, where the annual Freemen's Court is held, together with the police cells below are part of guided tours of the town hall.

It was replaced by the present magistrates' courthouse nearby, which was opened in 1985 by Simon Towneley JP as Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire.

Sir Simon, who will be 100 next birthday, is a life member of the Magistrates' Association.