A housing chief today admitted callers were left hanging on the line too long or their queries never answered as they sought telephone advice.

Geraldine Howley, Bradford Council's director of housing, said officers were now bringing in specialist teams to sort out the problem.

She said there had been an increase in calls since they had closed some housing offices and increased home visits.

Mrs Howley added: "We expected there would be more telephone calls, but we need to get the balance right." She said the Council would consider action including improved technology and more lines to help the public get through.

An analysis of calls to the offices during March showed 4,726 people found the lines were busy when they tried to contact the Odsal offices. Of the rest, more than 1,700 people were answered but 216 received no reply.

The performance was also bad at the Bell Dean housing office at Allerton where 3,623 people found the lines were busy while 1,689 people got through and 66 people were unable to obtain replies.

At Bradford Moor 1,211 people found the lines busy and there was no answer to 352 calls that rang. The office answered 1,418 calls immediately, however.

The 26,000 homes will be transferred by the Council to new community trusts early next year after a majority of tenants voted in favour in a referendum.

In the meantime, the Council is dealing with all its normal housing services including rent and repairs.

Mrs Howley stressed the analysis was done over 24 hours and there were times when people had tried to get through when offices were closed.

She said the figures also included repeat calls.