ISOLATED rural communities could soon have better access to council services if plans to create a state-of-the art call centre are given the green light.

Herefordshire Council's Cabinet has agreed to investigate plans to develop a Customer Contact Centre to improve its accessibility to the public.

A feasibility study for the facility showed the council receives 4.5 million calls each year, which means not every call can be answered.

"Research has consistently shown that 70 to 90 per cent of the public want access to a full range of council services by telephone outside traditional office hours," said Mark Warren, customer services, library and information manager.

"A Customer Contact Centre would provide the scope for extended hours of service and could act as a resource for other agencies in the county."

The proposal will be considered early in the New Year as part of the council's budget plans for 2003/4.