SIXTY million pounds is to be invested by Worcestershire County Council and its partners over the next 10 years to improve access to public services by residents and businesses.

E-Government Strategy approved by county Cabinet on Monday will allow access to public services, including district councils, health and the police, through the same contact point, which could be face-to-face meetings, telephone or the internet.

The aim is to provide a much-improved service to people and train customer services staff to deal with 80 per cent of queries at the first point of contact, which should lead to less time being wasted in trying to find a way around confusing public sector bureaucracies.

Councillor Adrian Hardman, spokesman for resources, said: "We have developed the Government's original version of being able to deliver all services electronically by working with out partners to deliver seamless public service.

"We must be able to use new technology to improve and grasp the challenges that service delivery will pose in the new century and make the change in service delivery our communities are asking for."

The project has been given Pathfinder status by the Government for its multi-agency work, reflecting the potential for other authorities to learn from Worcestershire's experiences. The first outputs for this work will be seen next year with the creation of one-stop service centres, the launch of a Worcestershire Internet Portal and joined-up telephone access."