The British Embassy has announced a reduction in the opening hours of its consular section, effective from today.

It will run from 8am to 10am from Sunday to Thursday and anybody wishing to visit outside these hours will need to book an appointment.

However, people visiting the consular section and those with appointments will now be able to park in the embassy grounds.

Consul Simon Hart said the change in opening hours was due to a decreased number of people visiting the consular section and insisted the change would not affect the quality of service.

'Following the global rationalisation of passport services, we have noticed a significant reduction in visitor numbers, from an average of 25 a day down to eight,' he said.

For a consular appointment, call 17574199 or 17474100.-TradeArabia News Service