A fresh round of controversial court closures is being lined up beyond those already planned across Scotland.

The chief executive of the Scottish Court Service has said new "justice centres" could see areas such as the Borders moving all court business under one roof.

The plan outlined by Eric McQueen to MSPs on Holyrood's Justice Committee was greeted with alarm by opposition politicians already trying to stop plans to shut 10 sheriff courts across the country.

Mr McQueen said feasibility studies on the new plan would begin by the end of this month, extending to areas in Strathclyde, Fife and the Highlands.

Justice centres could bring together courts, police, social work and victim support.

In the Borders, which is already facing the closure of courts in Duns and Peebles, talks will be held the week after next to seek agreement on the principle of the idea. The region still has sheriff courts at Jedburgh and Selkirk.

"There's already a suggestion that in terms of location, Gala-shiels would make a good central hub in the Borders area," Mr McQueen said. "We are very committed to it as a way of trying to improve the justice system and improve delivery.

"We will be sitting down with partners in the council and justice colleagues the week after next to start scoping out the feasibility and the practicality of trying to achieve that."

The plan may involve further closures, leaving the region with just one court, he told the committee. "That's something we will consider as part of the feasibility study," he said.

Conservative John Lamont, MSP for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, later criticised the proposal. "This will come as a bombshell for rural communities right across the country," he said.

"Given the backlash against court closures, it's incredible to discover this may only be the beginning."

Ten sheriff courts and seven justice of the peace courts are already earmarked for closure as part of a plan to save £4m a year in running and maintenance costs.

The list covers sheriff courts in Dornoch, Duns, Kirkcudbright, Peebles, Rothesay, Cupar, Dingwall, Arbroath, Haddington and Stonehaven.

Justice of the peace courts in Annan, Irvine, Motherwell, Cumbernauld, Portree, Stornoway and Wick also face closure.

Earlier in the committee session, Mr McQueen insisted the plan would not add significant burdens.

"I would like to hope the MSPs here today do have trust in our professionalism and integrity," he said. "There is no way in the world we would be bringing forward plans where we thought the court was just going to spiral in terms of its performance."

However, he faced a long list of concerns from MSPs trying to secure the future of courts in their areas. More rural areas will face travel problems, he was told by MSPs on the committee.

"What we can't do is provide court services to meet every single issue across the whole of Scotland," he said, adding that provision could be made for overnight stays. But someone not qualifying for legal aid may have to pay from their own pocket.

Opposition MSPs hope to overturn the plan to accept the recommendations and close the courts.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill has said money could "be better spent improving services and facilities at a smaller number of courts".