A town hall is now doubling as a court after the existing county and family court building shut.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and HM Courts and Tribunals Service have teamed up to provide the service from the Civic Way hall.

The existing county and family court building in London Road closed late last year, and the Town Hall has been accepted as a suitable place to hold hearings once a week.

Cases would otherwise be heard in Maidstone or Hastings. This change of use has been brought in without alteration to the venue, and with no cost involved.

Councillor Paul Barrington-King, cabinet member for finance and governance at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: "This is an innovative arrangement that benefits all involved. We have secured a service in our area, avoiding the need for people, who may not have the means or time to travel a considerable distance to access a court."

Susan Acland-Hood, chief executive for HM Courts and Tribunal Service, said: "Tunbridge Wells Town Hall is an excellent example of how existing local facilities can be used innovatively to provide local justice when there aren't enough cases to fill a courtroom day in and day out."