A new court aimed at cutting reoffending among people with mental health problems will be formally launched in Sussex today.

A pilot scheme at Brighton Magistrates' Court is one of just two across the country set up to help identify mental health problems and learning difficulties early to ensure offenders can be given tailored sentences with access to health services and specialist supervision.

It is estimated that about 350 mental health cases go through Brighton Magistrates' Court every year - but the problems of offenders are often not identified until after sentencing.

The Government, which admits too many offenders' problems are being missed under the normal court system, hopes the Brighton scheme, which is based on domestic violence courts and drug courts and ensures the presence of a psychiatric nurse in court and in the probation office, will eventually be used as a model for the rest of England and Wales.

Brighton's mental health court, which has been running since January alongside a similar pilot in Stratford, has so far placed 21 offenders under community orders with special supervision by a team of mental health professionals.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw, who will formally launch the Brighton scheme on a visit to the city today, said: "We know how important it is to ensure people with mental health problems have their needs properly addressed. Mental health courts represent a new and innovative way to deal with the root-causes of offending and so limit re-offending.

"They work because they target specific issues, help reduce re-offending and increase public confidence in the criminal justice system."

Andrew Dean, Director of Secure and Forensic Services at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, added: "Early detection and treatment of offenders' mental health problems will ensure people who are unwell get the help they need in the right environment. The programme tackles the 'revolving door syndrome' that many mentally ill persistent offenders find themselves trapped in."

* At 1pm today, Mr Straw will invite the support - and risk the wrath - of Sussex voters by setting out the Government's plans for the country on a "soapbox" outside Brighthelm church and community centre in Brighton.

Mr Straw, who will take questions from the public, will explain how ministers hope to take the country out of recession and improve public services under the policy plan Building Britain's Future, launched by Prime Minister Gordon Brown earlier this week.