LANCASHIRE County Council has been given top marks after an investigation into how our local councils manage their finances.

The annual Audit Commission report gives each local council a score of between one and four on how they give residents value for money on their council tax.

In the latest survey the county council scored four, which means they are "performing strongly".

Coun Anne Brown, Lancashire County Council's finance executive member, said: "Providing value for money for every pound that people pay in council tax is very important.

"We are very pleased with this rating.

"But we will continue to work hard and improve because we want to be one of the best councils in the country."

Steve Bundred, chief executive of the Audit Commission, said: "There is good progress in scores across most areas."