No magistrates' court cases will be heard in Wiltshire after the government closed courts in Salisbury and Swindon.

Cases will continue to be heard at Swindon Crown Court – but no hearings at the magistrates’ court across the road will take place in public.

The Ministry of Justice said Swindon’s crown court, where the most serious cases are sent, is one of 157 priority courts that will remain open to the public during the coronavirus outbreak.

In total, 83 courts will shut, including the law courts in Salisbury. Swindon Magistrates' Court will be a staffed court. Judges and court staff will work from the building but the court will not be open to the public.

Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland, also South Swindon's MP, said: “We are facing an unprecedented challenge and the government’s absolute priority is to save lives and protect the NHS.

“With each part of our justice system - from police to probation - dependent on one another, it is vital that we keep our courts running."

The vast bulk of court cases have been adjourned until later in the year. Almost all of those appearing before the judges and justices now do so over the video link from prison or the police station.