Axminster Medical Practice is urging patents to make more use of modern technology to combat growing pressure on its resources.

It is urging them to use its online system to book appointments and order medicines.

Members of the Patients Participation Group (PPG) is encouraging people to sign up for the service.

A spokeswoman said: “With the growing population, it is becoming more and more difficult to keep pace with the number of phone calls to order prescriptions.

“Patients could help tremendously by diverting a substantial number of these calls to access via the online system.

“It is not difficult and a complete list of people’s repeat medications is displayed - you just have to tick the ones you require. Even signing in is easy once you are established on the system. If you wish, it can remember your name and password so it is only one click to get operational.”

To register, patients should visit the surgery with a form of identification and they will be given details for passwords etc.