The UK Government is urging householders plagued by nuisance calls to use a new online tool to complain, saying it will help regulators take action.

Consumer group Which? is directing complainants to the relevant regulator's complaint form via its own website to gather the evidence required for enforcement action.

The watchdog found 85% of householders had a nuisance call on their landline within the space of one month, but only 17% made an official complaint.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "Consumers are completely fed up with nuisance calls but often don't know who to complain to, or they think nothing will happen if they do. Our new complaints tool will take the confusion and hassle away and helps people register their frustration.

"We urgently need to see a new approach, new laws and new technology to tackle nuisance calls and texts."

Communications minister Ed Vaizey said: "Nuisance calls are a menace. At best, they're an irritation, but at worst they can cause misery.

"The more people complain, the more evidence regulators can have to take action against the companies breaking the law.

"This initiative by Which? will make it quicker and easier for people to raise concerns about any company plaguing them with nuisance calls, and I urge consumers to use its reporting tool."