MORE than 80,000 people have been helped by Southampton City Council's Gateway information service since it opened last year, according to city bosses.

The "one-stop shop" service - based at the city's Civic Centre - is being hailed a success by bosses as it celebrates its first birthday this week.

The service deals with enquiries about council services including planning, housing benefit, council tax, parking permits and council rents, and according to city bosses, it has proved to be a huge success.

About 95 per cent of people say they are satisfied with the outcome of their visit, with 100 per cent saying they liked the way they were welcomed.

Sixteen customer services officers answer enquiries, and separate provision is also made for people who pre-book an appointment.

The first anniversary was celebrated with a presentation of a cake from Brian Chapman, from Southampton Action For Access (SAFA) - an organisation which champions both able-bodied and disabled people's access rights in the city.

Gateway is open from Monday to Friday, with late opening on Thursday evening to 7pm.

Mondays and the days after bank holidays are the busiest, as are lunchtimes, between noon and 2pm.