MOST people in Brighton and Hove were prepared for a change in dialling code for local calls, The Argus found.

From today everyone calling from a landline in a Brighton and Hove area code has to dial 01273 first.

When we asked people, most said that they already knew about the change, including Jackie Pattison.

The 49-year-old, of Wilmington Way, Brighton, said: “It’s fine because you have to do it on a mobile as well.

“I will just need to remember. I probably won't remember at first as I am not currently in the habit of doing it.”

Some people had heard about the change through work, including Andrew McGregor.

The 48-year-old, of Graham Avenue, Brighton, said: “We were told about it at work. It is a bit rubbish really and I don’t know why it is being changed.”

However, some people were not aware of the change.

Teresa Moore, 52, of Elderidge Avenue, Brighton, said: “I didn't know about it.

“As I now tend to only use my mobile it won’t make a massive difference to me personally.

“I think there should have been more publicity about it.

“I think I saw something about it a few months ago but didn’t take a lot of notice.”

The telecom regulator Ofcom is making the change as the Brighton and Hove area code is heavily used and there are few numbers available for new customers.

The Brighton and Hove area code covers Brighton, Barcombe, Glynde, Hassocks, Henfield, Hove, Hurstpierpoint, Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Plumpton, Portslade, Poynings, Ringmer, Rottingdean, Shoreham-by-Sea and Southwick.

It is recommended to always quote 01273 numbers in full from now on when giving out Brighton and Hove area phone numbers.