A council is bringing in extra measures to try to tackle a backlog of benefits claims.

Arun Council has 3,700 outstanding council tax and rent rebate claims and staff are struggling to keep up with demand.

The figure is an improvement on summer high of a 7,200, which forced the council to close its telephone queries system for two weeks in June to try to clear its paperwork.

The amount of work coming into the department is up by almost 20 per cent on this time last year.

Now the council is to introduce new measures such as regularly closing the phone lines down for part of the week until further notice, working overtime and employing agency staff.

The backlog is partly due to a new Government initiative which requires staff to carry out more rigorous checks on claimants.

Arun resources director Alan Carter said: "The backlog is having a major effect on the community, other council departments and the staff that administer the scheme.

"For example, there is concern from the Landlords' Association, the Citizens' Advice Bureau and groups such as Homelink, which try to find accommodation for the homeless.

"In addition, housing associations have also had problems because they rely heavily on housing benefit.

"I apologise for the inconvenience this is causing claimants but please bear with us."