Wiltshire Council's customer service lines have been extended to open from 8.30am to 5.30pm every weekday.

Previously, lines opened and closed at different times between 8.30am and 5.30pm depending on location, with all lines closing at 5pm on Friday.

This change, which has been achieved at no extra cost to taxpayers, means that customers will now be able to contact the council using the 0300 456 0100 number for nine hours a day from Monday to Friday wherever they live in Wiltshire.

The council receives on average 100,000 calls a month from members of the public and the busiest time is at 10am on Mondays.

Head of customer access, John Rogers, said: “We think this is a worthwhile improvement for our customers, and another step on the road to becoming a truly customer-focused organisation."

The council is currently consulting customers about possible options for different opening hours including earlier in the morning, into the evening and at weekends.

Anyone wanting to be involved in the consultation on future customer service line opening hours, can log on to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/contactconsultation, email research@wiltshire.gov.uk or call 0300 456 0100.