RESIDENTS are increasingly embracing technology to access Lancashire County Council services, according to new figures.

New council statistics have shown the number of people using the internet to contact Lancashire County Council has nearly doubled over the last year from an average of 30,000 enquiries per week in 2006, to 52,000 enquiries per week in 2007.

County Coun Doreen Pollitt, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, praised the figures.

Also welcomed was a new call centre which handled 224,688 calls between this April and September, up from 116,987 last year.

Coun Pollitt said: "By providing a single telephone number we are making it easier to contact the county council.

"In the past, it could have taken a few calls to find the correct department to answer your enquiry.

"Under this new system people can make one call to access many different services."