by Chris Price

Angry Kent magistrates craving a HobNob or Digestive have been left with only the credit crunch to munch on after the economic downturn stretched as far as their free tea and biscuits.

The county's 850 magistrates are irate the provision of biscuits in their retiring rooms has crumbled as part of cost-cutting by Kent's HM Courts Service.

There are calls for more communication between the area director Dave Weston and the Magistrates' Association, which says cuts could easily be made elsewhere.

Chris Stanley, chairman of the Kent Branch of the Magistrates' Association, said: "Magistrates protesting about their tea and coffee being withdrawn is actually a storm in a tea cup.

"What has made many magistrates very angry is we were not consulted. We can think of a number of ways costs could be cut but we weren't asked. The first thing we heard from the area director was the tea and coffee was withdrawn.

"Magistrates are unpaid volunteers and to withdraw their tea and coffee has been the last straw. They like to have it and don't think they should have to pay for it out of their own pocket."

The free refreshments are estimated to cost the taxpayer around £20,000 a year.

Mr Stanley added: "What we want is to defuse this situation and to ensure we achieve the reduction in expenditure needed - but don't lose our tea and coffee."

A spokesman for HM Courts Service said: "Magistrates will continue to get tea and coffee in retiring rooms." Mr Weston was unavailable for comment.