A review of legal costume could endanger the wig-making industry, which has served the legal world since the 18th Century.

Several companies serve the demand for judges' and barristers' wigs, employing an estimated 100 craftsmen and women.

Well-known outfitter Ede and Ravenscroft, based in the heart of the legal world at London's Chancery Lane, refused to comment on the Lord Chancellor's proposals outlined yesterday.

Another large legal suppliers, Stanley Ley, said its wig studio ran at a loss but was maintained as a service to the Bar.

A spokesman admitted jobs would go if the Lord Chancellor went ahead with plans to ditch wigs altogether.

But he pointed out sales to British lawyers made up about a fifth of total sales because wigs were also used in many countries with legal systems based on English law.

The company, which celebrates its centenary this year, offers hairpieces which are "handmade in the traditional manner from 100 per cent pure horsehair".

Judges' full bottomed wigs, used for ceremonial duties, can be bought off the shelf or made to measure, costing £1,795.

Judges' everyday bench wigs are £795, while barristers' hairpieces are £369.

Legal gowns can also be very costly. Barristers' robes range from £119 to £165, or up to £994 for a QC's silk version.

The spokesman for Stanley Ley said of the abolition of wigs: "It would be a nightmare for the wig studio because they would be redundant but from a purely business angle it wouldn't make much difference to us.

"What might have an impact would be if the gowns, collars and bands go as well.

"There are probably about 100 legal wigmakers in the country in total."