THE NHS trust responsible for mental health services in East Lancashire has been placed among the worst in the country.

The Healthcare Commission today released its "star ratings" -- in which health trusts are given a score of none to three stars based on performance.

And in the ratings the Commission only awarded Lancashire Care NHS Trust one star out of three and said the organisation showed, "some cause for concern regarding key particular targets or across many balanced scorecard indicators".

However, the trust scored highly in some areas such as cleanliness and financial management.

Finlay Robertson, Chief Executive, said: "We are pleased with our achievements in reaching targets and have now made significant progress in those areas where we did not score so highly."

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, which oversees hospitals in Blackburn, Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Rossendale and Pendle, was given an overall rating of two out of three stars, but was rapped for its financial management, an area where the Healthcare Commission said it had significantly underachieved.

An East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said: "The performance ratings reflect the major financial challenges experienced by the Trust during 2003/4. These are being addressed as part of the Trust's plans for 2004/5 and beyond."

The Healtchare Commission said performance of mental health trusts remains a cause for concern, with more than a third still having one star or less.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Chorley and South Ribble, Royal Preston and Sharoe Green hospitals, was given the highest three stars rating.

Chief executive Tony Curtis said: "This is recognition of our performance in reducing waiting times and meeting other key targets and an indication of the good quality services that we provide."

The primary care trusts, responsible for GPs, and Lancashire Ambulance Service NHS Trust were also given a performance rating by the Healthcare Commission.

Ambulance crews as well as Hyndburn and Ribble Valley and Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trusts were given a top three stars rating.

Blackburn with Darwen Primary Care Trust improved on its previous rating and was given two stars, an achievement which was welcomed by PCT chairman Nick Kennedy.

He said: "I will be making sure the board reflects on this."