THE CITY council was paralysed today by an issue with its servers which has left citizens with reduced access to help.

Winchester City Council was unable to provide many services after internet and phone servers were down on Thursday, November 21 and customers say the offices were closed.

Although the council gave emails for people to try on its social media, if they wanted to contact them, many have been left frustrated.

One frustrated resident said: "All their lines are dead."

Like many people, he had taken the day off work so he could go to the council and was surprised to find it shut.

The council's staffed reception is usually shut from 3 pm, Monday to Friday, but the man was told by a council worker that it was shut due to 'flooding.'

"I was just outside the main entrance and talked [to a woman] through the door. I'm back at work tomorrow! I know we've had some bad weather, but it just seems to me that they're not offering a service and not giving a good excuse why."

He continued: "There was a gentleman in a wheelchair who wanted to see someone, but the whole damned place was closed."

The Chronicle tested the alternative emails provided by the council on their social media and received a reply within ten minutes to say our messages had been received.

The Chronicle has also contacted the city council for comment.