RESIDENTS are being urged to go online to access Blackburn with Darwen council services in a new campaign as the number using the borough’s digital portals rises.

The numbers of people hitting their computer keyboards to use web-based applications to contact the town hall has risen dramatically in the last year.

More than 70 per cent of new housing benefit and council tax support applications were submitted on-line since the new digital service was launched in February. Other council functions accessible through the web have seen similar take-up figures, borough resources boss Andy Kay has revealed.

He has now launched a new drive to get more residents to go digital, saving them time and the council money.

The campaign, featuring local people interacting digitally with the borough, coincides with more services becoming available on-line. There are now 80 available digitally with more planned.

Residents can go online at www.blackburn.gov.uk to report problems, apply for services, pay bills or access library or museum information using the website from home or on the move, rather than visiting or telephoning customer service centres.

Temporary giant hoardings outside Blackburn town hall have been taken over as part of the CGI-assisted drive showing real residents contacting the council using modern technology.

The ‘models’ include Bethany Andrews, 29, who works in The Mall, Blackburn, using an iPad to report fly tippers from the bath.

And Asif Hussain, 45, a council youth worker, can be seen using an iPhone to report that his bin had not been emptied.

The campaign ‘Pay, Report, Find, Say, Apply: Anywhere, Anytime’ highlights what can be done online.

Coun Kay said: “The campaign will help us to make sure as many people realise they can deal with the council or get information in this popular way as more services become available online.”