A DOCUMENTARY which followed the trials and tribulations of East Lancashire council staff has won a top television award.

The Granada TV docusoap about Blackburn with Darwen Council services followed a variety of staff including refuse collectors, a special school head teacher and pupils and concert hall staff.

TV cameras also captured interviews with the leader of the council and chief executive.

The first series of Are You Being Serviced?, narrated by former Coronation Street actor Kevin Kennedy - Curly Watts - has scooped the best regional programme category in the Royal Television Society North West Awards.

Despite being scheduled at the same time as EastEnders, the programme pulled in 20 per cent of the TV audience, at times reaching nearly half a million viewers.

It was so successful that a second series, Are You Still Being Serviced? has also been broadcast.

Both the council and Granada TV are thrilled with the award and say it shows that council services really can be a popular subject of prime time reality television.

Council chief executive Phil Watson said: "We entered into the first agreement with the television company with some trepidation, knowing we had no editorial control, but the viewing figures speak for themselves".

Leader of the council Kate Hollern said: "We are always keen to encourage external scrutiny of Blackburn with Darwen's performance, and what better or braver way than on prime time TV?"

She added that what really mattered to the council was being viewed as excellent in the minds of locals.

Producer of the series, Granada's David Nolan said: "We thoroughly enjoyed making the documentary and are delighted to have won such a prestigious award".

The Council has also found that reality TV can help to change people's perceptions and improve its public profile.

Members of its citizen's panel were surveyed following the six-week broadcast.

Fifty-five per cent said they watched the first series and 23 per cent reported a better opinion of the staff and 19 per cent an improved overall opinion of the council as a result.