A HOTLINE set up to help people with digital enquiries has seen the number of calls it receives almost triple during this latest lockdown.

From January 5 to February 5, the Dorset Digital Hotline, received 132 calls –nearly three times the average monthly calls it received in the last quarter of 2020.

Dorset Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Peter Wharf, said: “It’s clear that this demand on our hotline shows digital support is at its most needed when the country is in total lockdown.

“If people are experiencing digital problems, or just need general advice on using devices and getting online, it’s more important than ever that they can get help.”

Calls received during January included a woman whose tablet froze while she was in the middle of internet banking; and a partially-sighted resident who needed help on how to make her screen larger. A school that needed advice on clearing old information from laptops it had received as a gift also got in touch.

The Digital Hotline – 01305 221048 – is open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to midday.