Kent magistrates’ tea and biscuit saga has turned into a storm in a teacup.

We reported on Monday how the county’s 850 magistrates were fuming that their provision of free tea and biscuits had been removed as a result of recession-led cutbacks.

But it seems the row was brewed up out of all proportion - after magistrates misunderstood HM Courts Service's decision.

It appears magistrates got the wrong end of the stick in meetings with Kent Area Director Dave Weston and misinterpreted a letter sent out by him on the matter.

A spokesman for HM Courts Service said: “Magistrates will continue to get tea and coffee in retiring rooms. It is a case of vending machines being replaced by kettles.”

Now magistrates are focusing their efforts on calls for better communication between HM Courts Service and the Magistrates Association ahead of discussions on cutbacks elsewhere.

No magistrates were available for comment on the matter.