A new telephone hotline number designed to improve the Vale of White Horse District Council's benefits and council tax inquiry system starts tomorrow.

Calls will now be handled by a larger, dedicated benefits and council tax team, at a centre run by consultancy firm Capita in Coventry.

Last year, the council signed a £1.3m deal with Capita to run its financial services.

The council said the hotline should make a significant improvement to customer service.

All calls to the number will be charged at the same local rate, meaning it will cost callers the same as it did to call the old Vale number.

The council said the partnership with Capita would save it more than £200,000 a year.

Tony de Vere, executive member for finance, said: "People calling this new number will get exactly the same help and advice as before.

"The only difference they may notice is that it should be easier to get through and that their call is picked up sooner.

"Transferring these calls was part of the original agreement we made with Capita as we knew the service we offered needed improvement, but we did not have the resources to invest in the new systems and technologies necessary.

"Capita is able to offer this improvement without any cost to council taxpayers."

The new telephone number for queries about council tax or council tax benefit, housing benefit or assisted travel is 0845 300 6129.