WORCESTER councillors are better trained to serve the Faithful City than they have ever been before.

The Guildhall has received an award from the Local Government Association for improving the quality of the average rank and file councillor.

The award, which was announced this week, came after a team of independent assessors said there had been "a cultural shift" in how new councillors are brought into the fold.

Rather then fend for themselves, each one is now put through a rigorous training programme to ensure taxpayers get good value for money.

The council has a buddy scheme to ensure new councillors are tagged along with Guildhall veterans where possible, and organises media training for cabinet members, the leader, deputy leader and Mayor.

It has also firmed up the induction each new councillor gets, and is planning to review it every six months.

The award - called primary milestone status - comes one year after the city council narrowly missed out on it.

Councillor Roger Knight, cabinet member for finance, said: "I'm very pleased with the decision of the LGA to award us the primary milestone. It was disappointing last year to end up as we did after all the work we put in, but I'm delighted this year.

"We now need to look forward to see if we can achieve the full charter award. It's been a real tribute to cross party working."

Deputy mayor Coun Lucy Hodgson took it upon herself to champion training for councillors rather than just workers.

She said: "It's very good news that we have got this award and I'd like to thank everyone involved.

"The report we had back said there had been a cultural shift in the recognition of training, which is really pleasing.

"We haven't finished though - we now need to look forward to see if we can get full status."

The Guildhall will now push on for full status by introducing further training innovations in the next year, such as having annual reviews for each councillor.