A programme to link hundreds of prisons to magistrates' courts by video has been launched in Leicestershire.

Home Office minister Keith Bradley switched on the scheme at Glen Parva Young Offenders' Institution.

The programme will eventually link 57 prisons and 156 courts throughout the country.

The video links will allow court hearings dealing with administrative matters to be held without the need to transport defendants to court.

The move follows successful trials of the technology.

At the launch the minister used the video link at Glen Parva to speak to the chair and deputy chair of the Nottinghamshire magistrates' bench.

A Prison Service spokesman said the scheme was expected to link 57 prisons throughout England and Wales to magistrates' courts by September.