JURY trials are set to resume at Greenock Sheriff Court this week — with a distinct cinematic quality.

Screens have been installed where jurors would have sat in the historic Nelson Street building.

They will beam back live pictures of them as they follow the proceedings remotely, from the Odeon cinema at Braehead.

In-court cameras will relay live footage of trials directly to jury members, as the criminal justice system further recovers from the coronavirus crisis which has resulted in a huge backlog of cases.

David Fraser, the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service executive director for court operations, said: "We recognise the concern and impact on the accused, victims and witnesses of any further delay in jury trials.

"The jury centres are large ventilated spaces, with physical distancing for jurors at all times and are fully equipped with all the necessary precautions of face coverings, hand-washing facilities and sanitisers.

"While we know that there are concerns at this time, we have strictly followed Public Health Scotland's guidance to make these new centres as safe as possible.

"Having juries remote from courts enables physically-distanced trials to proceed with the same health, safety and security measures available to all court users."