CUSTOMERS were unable to contact an Oxford lettings agency due to a key member of staff being in hospital, its owner said yesterday.

Tenants and landlords had experienced problems contacting Lyttons Property Services, based in Abingdon Road, for a number of weeks.

Lyttons director Velma Shallow said: “Lyttons values its landlord and tenant clients and apologises for the communication issues some have recently experienced.

“These were brought about by the unplanned hospitalisation of a key staff member and we regret office hours will remain variable.”

Oxfordshire County County’s trading standards team was contacted by customers experiencing problems and have met the business owners.

Ms Shallow added: “We will be writing directly to the clients affected by recent events and have acted to clear the blockage on the answerphone.

“Any emails and messages will be dealt with within 24 hours, Monday to Friday.”