Plans to save �150,000 have been confirmed by Norwich City Council, which will see walk-in services at the council's neighbourhood offices withdrawn.

The changes, which will be introduced from next Wednesday, involve moving to an appointment-only system at the offices.

This will affect the east Norwich neighbourhood office in Pilling Park Road, the Lakenham office in Mansfield Lane, the west Norwich office in Motum Road and the Catton office, in Bullard Road. The Norman Centre in Mile Cross is also affected but the rest of the centre and its services will operate as usual.

The changes will also see the customer centre at City Hall closing every Wednesday morning, opening between 1pm to 5pm.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, cabinet member for customer services at City Hall, said: 'We're introducing changes in response to what people told us in our budget consultation about how they prefer to get in touch with us.

'The clear message was that in-person visits at neighbourhood offices were least preferable when compared to things like using the website, emailing or calling us.

'But by keeping our neighbourhood offices open on an appointment-only basis it means we can still take care of the needs of our most vulnerable residents, as and when they need our services.'

The neighbourhood offices are most commonly used by people wanting to drop off housing benefit claims or proofs, or to report housing repairs.

The council's main phone number, 0344 980 3333, will also be staffed from 8am to 5pm, instead of 6pm, from Monday to Friday.