WORCESTERSHIRE County Council says it is baffled why it was highly praised by Country Life magazine and yet education, which it also provides, was strongly criticised.

The county council scored four out of five for the overall service is provides.

The data used came from the Audit Commission's most recent Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA).

And yet, when it came to education - the main service it provides - the county scored absolutely nothing.

Top of the survey was Devon. Worcestershire came in at 27th and Staffordshire came last at 36th.