LAW abiding members of the public were given the opportunity to experience life in a magistrate s court on Saturday - and some even agreed to be locked in the cells. Ely Magistrates Court opened to the public as part of Heritage Open Day weekend. Almost

LAW abiding members of the public were given the opportunity to experience life in a magistrate's court on Saturday - and some even agreed to be locked in the cells. Ely Magistrates' Court opened to the public as part of Heritage Open Day weekend.

Almost 300 people took advantage of a guided tour of the main court - magistrates guided members of the public round the building, explaining both the origins of the building and the history of the judiciary.

Thousands of buildings which are often closed to the public were opened up and entry was free, including the magistrates' court on Lynn Road, which faces an uncertain future as court budgets tighten.

The neo-classical style building was designed by George Basevi, the architect of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, and built in 1821, shortly after the Littleport Riots - which were stoked by a local farmer and magistrate paying his workers less than a living wage.