LAST year's disastrous summer floods cost Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service £250,000.

However, that figure is remarkably low considering the authority became the national control centre during the national disaster, and South Yorkshire's service - which was also affected with the flooding crisis - spent £735,000. A total of £2 million was spent by all the fire services involved in the wash-out.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service's ability to keep costs at minimum is part of the reason why it has been awarded the highest overall performance rating from the Audit Commission - an independent watchdog responsible for ensuring public money is spent economically, efficiently, and effectively to achieve high-quality local services for the public.

In 2005, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was given a "good" fire Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), one below the "excellent" rating, which assessed how well the authority was delivering its services for local people and communities.

In the latest review, the Audit Commission said Hereford and Worcester was "improving adequately" and has been named the lowest improver in the progress of fire modernisation of all 46 fire and rescue services in England. In national performance indicators Hereford and Worcestershire Fire and Rescue Service scored 34 per cent compared to Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, the highest achiever, with 82 per cent.

However, the commission still gave the authority an overall rating of four - the highest - which means it is "performing strongly" in the way the fire service plans and responds to emergencies and incidents for local residents and businesses.

Overall, the Audit Commission said the number of fires in England have fallen once again and deaths from fires are at their lowest levels since the 1950s.

All fire services are said to be on track to meet the Government's target for reducing total numbers of fires and they are performing well against national targets to reduce arson.

However, although targets are being met, the Audit Commission said it was concerned performance is starting to level off which might have implications for performance in the future.

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service was unavailable for comment.