In July, Eye reported that local land charges searches were taking six weeks in Exeter.

Improvements were promised – with the result that Exeter City Council is now taking eight weeks.

Local MP Ben Bradshaw has told the authority that it must address the problem as “a matter of urgency”, saying that it is slowing down the business of buying and selling and that he has received a large number of complaints.

An Exeter City Council spokesman said: “We are aware of the situation and would like to apologise to anyone who has been inconvenienced by the delays, which are unacceptable.

“Because of this, we have deployed extra resources to cope with the workload, but this will take time to have a significant effect as staff need to be trained.

“Subsequently we are looking at other initiatives to deal with the problem and are keeping local agents and solicitors up to date with progress.”

Eye’s story in July prompted readers to reveal other blackspots where searches are taking a long time.

They included the London borough of Sutton, North Wiltshire, and Bath and North East Somerset.

How are things where you are? Are they still searching?