The national consumer help line, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry, will allow customers to get quick, practical advice on any consumer issue just by phoning one national number. Calls will be charged at local rates from any landline.
It will also offer practical information and advice via its web site, and on-line users will be able to e-mail their queries to advisers at the newly built contact centre in Shawbost, on the Isle of Lewis.
By the end of the summer, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber and the South West will have come on-line, and Consumer Direct will be available in all UK regions by spring 2007, says the DTI.