Most people phone their local council about bin collections, potholes and housing – but it appears many also think they have the answer to every question under the sun.

The Local Government Association (LGA), which deals with about 50 million calls across England and Wales every year has released some of the calls that have left staff in its 370 councils completely baffled.

1. Do you know how much water I need to cook super noodles?

(Stevenage Borough Council)

2. What are the rules and regulations for hosting a mouse race?

(Somerset County Council)

3. Can I exercise my kestrel on your tip?

(Nottinghamshire County Council)

4. Seven letters, James Bond’s cat-loving nemesis, begins with B?

(a call to Staffordshire County Council from an elderly lady asking for help on her crossword)

5. What is the daily room rate at the Holiday Inn Express?

(Stevenage Borough Council)

6. What size tin is required for the Mary Berry strawberry tart featured on the BBC’s Great British Bake Off?

(Somerset County Council)

7. I met a boy whilst on holiday in Ibiza, but I’ve lost his number. He said he lived in Nottingham and his dad is a bin man. Do you know him?

(Nottinghamshire County Council)

8. How many geese are on the boating lake in Cleethorpes this year?

(A question to North East Lincolnshire Council from a caller who wanted to visit but was allergic to feathers!)

9. What time does your website close?

(Poole Borough Council)

10. How high is Mount Kilimanjaro?

(Somerset County Council)

Source: The Independent