The Chard and Ilminster News has been praised for campaigning on local issues by the Government's chief legal adviser.

The Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, visited Chard in Somerset on a fact-finding mission into the Chard and Ilminster Community Justice Panel.

The groundbreaking project grew out of the News' Bring Justice Home campaign, which started in May 2003, as a drive to re-open a magistrates' court in Chard.

It later changed direction to press for a pioneering new initiative to tackle low-level anti-social behaviour in a constructive way.

The campaign gradually gathered momentum and won Government funding, resulting in the appointment of a full time co-ordinator.

In an exclusive interview with News chief reporter Alex Cameron during his visit, Lord Goldsmith said: "All credit to the newspaper for having taken the issue up.

"One of the great strengths of newspapers, especially local newspapers, is that they identify and campaign on local issues.

"It has had a real effect in producing something of real value to people in Chard and Ilminster."

The community justice panel aims to dispense 'restorative justice' by helping an offender reform by understanding the consequences of their actions and in some way making amends for what they have done.

The victim can be involved in the panel hearing, which is chaired by volunteer members of the community, and meet the offender as a way to help their healing process.