WORCESTERSHIRE is set to be named as the best 'value for money' county council in the country in next month's local authority assessments.

This year, councils will be rated under a new star system, with more than 100 categories being examined and rated. Under the plans, one is the poorest, and four stars the best.

An overall star rating will then be given to each authority. Under the present rating system, Worcestershire is ranked as excellent, the best achievable.

Chief executive Rob Sykes told a Worcestershire County Council meeting that the new system was 'a harder test' and admitted a three star rating was a possibility.

"In this test it will be harder to get into the higher category," he said.

But Mr Sykes also indicated that the county council was the only authority in the country to receive top marks in the use of resources - called 'value for money' - section.

"I can't reveal the results but I can say that only one county council got top score and I'm very happy with the outcome of our score," he added. Full results will be published in December.