CHAMPAGNE corks will be popping down at County Hall today after a Government watchdog rated Worcestershire County Council among the best local authorities in England.

For the third year running the Audit Commission - the independent local government watchdog - has awarded the county council a four-star rating for its performance, the highest possible score available.

Particularly highly-regarded are Worcestershire's children's and young people's services, described by the Audit Commission as "one of the best in the country."

A delighted Councillor George Lord, the Conservative leader of the council, said: "This is an outstanding performance, since this is now the third year we have achieved this excellent result.

"Credit must go to all staff and elected members - so well done everyone!"

According to the Audit Commission, the council "has delivered improving outcomes across its priority areas. Children and young people's services continue to be assessed as one of the best in the country with improved examination results, wide availability of nursery places, greater choice of schools and improvement in school buildings.

"Adult social care services are good with promising capacity to improve."

This assessment is known as the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), and each year all 149 county and unitary authorities across England are given a rating from zero to four stars. Worcestershire was one of 55 authorities to achieve top marks.

The CPA looks at various key aspects of the council's overall performance, including the quality of core services provided, how well resources are used, how the council performs as a corporate body, and the direction of travel' - whether or not the council is moving in the right direction.

Worcestershire is deemed to be "Improving Well", and the report also notes that "the amount of waste recycled and composted has increased, exceeding the government target".