THE new Evesham Contact Community Centre has proved a big success with more than 6,000 people through the doors in the first four weeks.

Visitors also took advantage of the Sunday opening hours with 132 residents using the service over the four week period, and nearly 100 early birds paid a visit between 8am and 9am while 127 dropped in between 6pm and 8pm.

The ECCC is a partnership between Wychavon District and Worcestershire County Councils, West Mercia Constabulary and Evesham Town Council. Its aim is to provide a single point of contact for customers to have their questions answered with over 80 per cent of queries being dealt with at the front counter.

Partners moved into the former magistrates court building alongside the police station in Abbey Road in March.

Amanda de Warr, Wychavon's democratic services manager, said: "The centre is the first in the country to involve three tiers of local government and the police working together to provide joint access to services.

"We are delighted with the response from customers who have come, in a steady flow, through our doors, making the most of our out-of-hours opening times."

Outside agencies, including Age Concern, the Pension Service, Social Services, the Probation Service and D.I.A.L. also provide surgeries.

ECCC manager Margaret Gormley said: "Because the council provides a lot of services, it can be quite confusing for residents. Now they can nip into the centre and we can explain on a face to face basis procedures like planning permission or to check if they are on the electoral roll."

Customer advisor Heather Gardener added: "Having the partners under one roof is providing a success because we can give the customers the right information on the spot."

The ECCC is open from 8am to 8pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 5pm Saturdays and 10am to 4pm Sundays.