COUNCILLORS are claiming victory in a war against a benefits backlog in Blackburn - despite failing to meet targets.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been struggling to reduce a mountain of unprocessed claims and was even given a £120,000 Government grant to sort the mess out.

Last year, fed up councillors and Capita, the company responsible for processing benefits claims in the borough, drew up an action plan to turn things around.

A report revealed that the average number of days taken to process new claims had risen to 78, over three weeks more than the national average and 43 days more than its yearly target of 35 days for 2003/2004.

Capita called in one of its most senior managers to carry out an internal assessment and apologised to people whose claims were caught up in the backlog.

The benefits service has been beset by problems since Capita took charge in 2001 but now directors of the company said its action plan had turned things around. Rod Aldridge, a Capita director, revealed that 24 extra staff had been hired and money invested.

"I am pleased with the progress staff have made. In December the average time for a claim was 46 days and 92 per cent of claims were done in 35 days."

A report due to be presented to a full council meeting in Blackburn tonight said the service had made good progress but was due to get even better.

The report, written by Coun Frank Connor, the council's executive member for citizens' and consumer rights, said: "Good progress continues to be made in dealing with the few longer, outstanding cases and the performance has improved dramatically over the past few months.

"From 78 days in October and 64 days in November, is has fallen to 46 days at the end of December."

Coun Connor said the number of complaints from residents had also fallen.

Council leader, Sir Bill Taylor, said the problems were the most difficult aspect of the partnership with Capita. He added: "We could not react like rabbits dazzled by headlights because it had to be sorted. Frank Connor has worked very hard on this with council officers and Capita.

"The action plan is not fully complete but I think the progress made is good news for those families who rely on benefits."

Colin Rigby, opposition leader at Blackburn with Darwen, said the service was now better than when it had been run by the council. He added: "I think we have reached a stage and a position we all agree with."