A computer network has been set up to help people cut through red tape to contact Brighton and Hove City Council.

Brighton and Hove City Council has launched citydirect to improve access to information and services.

Residents with home computers will be able to contact the council over issues such as reporting a pothole in the road or checking a planning application.

To help those without computers take advantage, a network of 15 citydirect self-help points are in libraries and schools.

They are at Brighton, Hove, Coldean, Hangleton, Hollingbury, Moulsecoomb, Patcham, Portslade, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Westdene, Whitehawk and Woodingdean libraries as well as Bevendean and Whitehawk primary schools.

There are also three main citydirect centres in the city at Bartholomew House in Brighton, Hove Town Hall and Portslade Neighbourhood Office in Victoria Road.

Initially, 12 services are available through citydirect.

They are: abandoned cars, Carelink, complaints and online consultation, concessionary travel, environmental health, libraries, pavement and road repairs, planning and development control, street cleaning, street lighting, student support and waste.

To ensure the system runs smoothly, all these were reviewed in the run up to the launch of citydirect to make sure they were easy to contact.

City council leader Ken Bodfish launched the service by cutting a red tape at Hove Town Hall.

He said: "Citydirect is all about making it easier for residents to deal with the council to ensure they receive the best possible service.

"We are making sure residents and businesses can get the information they want and contact the services they need when it's most convenient to them.

"If you want to report a faulty street light, you will be able to do it at midnight from your home computer if that's when it's most convenient for you."

Go to the council's web site - www.brighton-hove.gov.uk - and click on the citydirect option.