A REVAMPED service offering residents the latest technology to help them with "anything from benefit queries to library opening times" is set to take off next year.

Redditch's One Stop Shop facility, run from the town hall and satellite centres in Winyates, Batchley and Woodrow, is undergoing a complete overhaul.

The initiative, funded by Worcestershire County Council with Redditch Council, will boast a new computer network to link offices across the county and provide a client database to keep a record of anyone who has ever used the service.

Manager Jane Smith said the diagnostic software system would enable answers to frequently asked questions and links to be provided electronically, that will help customer service advisers to offer consistent and comprehensive advice.

Over the next year, a new telephone system would be installed to enable people to gain advice without having to visit the premises and customers would be able to access the system over the internet from the comfort of their homes.

Ms Smith said the new service would be open to anybody, regardless of where they lived or the type of query.

"We'll offer people help with anything from benefit queries to library opening times and can also steer them in the right direction if they need more specialised advice," she said.

"Offices will look the same because we want people to realise the One Stop Shop is available all over the county and offers the same service," said Ms Smith.

"The plan is people can go to any office and gain help and information - that is our vision for the future."