PEOPLE using council services have been invited to hand out plaudits or brickbats as part of a national initiative to highlight customer service.

Advisers at Wyre Forest District Council promoted a questionnaire requesting comments on the standard of service they provide to the public for National Customer Service Week 2005, which began on Monday and ran until Sunday.

Councillor John Campion, the council's cabinet member for finance and corporate affairs, said: "The questionnaire will help us gather information from our customers.

"We want to know what our residents think of the service they are offered and how they are treated. People can suggest ways we can improve our service and complain about something we have done or failed to do.

"We would also like to hear from people who have been happy with the service we provide so we can make sure the good work continues."

Completed questionnaires submitted by tomorrow will be entered into a draw for a £25 gift token.

Mr Campion also saw at first hand what the service advisors' jobs entailed. He explained: "In summer next year, we will be opening a new customer service centre in Kidderminster, which will be based at Kidderminster Town Hall.

"This is part of the Worcestershire hub project and one of the council's key commitments for 2005-06.

"It will provide residents and visitors with one point of access to all the services we provide and those provided by Worcestershire County Council.

"By spending time with our advisors during National Customer Service Week, I will be finding out about how we can offer an even better service at the new customer service centre."

Conversion work is already under way at the town hall for the centre. There will be satellite customer service centres in Stourport and Bewdley.