Council tenants' lives have been made a little easier following the introduction of a single 'hotline' phone number.

Oxford City Council tenants are now able to report their tenancy troubles on the freephone number, while the authority's housing contact centre has extended its opening hours.

The centre is now open from 7.45am to 6pm Monday to Thursday, and 7.45am to 5.45pm on Friday.

The freephone number - 0800 227676 - can be used by tenants to discuss all housing issues, from repairs to advice on issues like nuisance neighbours.

City councillor Patrick Murray, executive member for improving housing, said: "The extension of services available on the freephone number means that it has never been easier for tenants to contact the council about any housing issue and the extended opening hours will bring greater convenience for all.

"It should also improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our tenancy service."

The new number has replaced five separate housing telephone numbers.

Inquiries now all go through the new Oxford City Homes contact centre number. Every council tenant has been advised about the changes.

Oxford City Homes - the new name for the arm of the city council that looks after its 8,000-strong housing stock - is charged with dealing with repairs, rent collection and arrears management.

Tracy Roper, chairman of the Oxford Tenants Panel, said: "I know the staff working at the contact centre are going to be even busier now, but they are so familiar with the type of tenant queries and our estates that tenants calls will be dealt with efficiently."

Tory leader and Witney MP David Cameron has put an extension of the right-to-buy policy at the heart of his party's ideas on housing.

But the Liberal Democrat-run city council has promised to resist selling homes to tenants.