LANCASHIRE County Council has been judged as a "good" authority for the second year running in a national audit.

The council was again given a thumbs up rating, which it was previously awarded in 2002. A county spokesman said: "We're good and we're getting better, that's the view of an independent assessment of how Lancashire County Council is performing."

The spokesman added: " The latest Audit Commission Comprehensive Performance Assessment of the

authority states that improvements have been made in key services like educational attainment, recycling and social care services."

And the county council said inspectors found that Lancashire was well placed to achieve an 'excellent' rating over the next year.

Council leader, Coun Hazel Harding, said: "Once again it has been proved that Lancashire County Council is a very well run organisation that provides good services for all its residents.

"The rating shows we are making a positive difference to the lives of our residents and that we have the ability to do even more for people.

"The last 12 months have seen the council secure millions of pounds in Government funding - in the last month alone we were instrumental in £80million other grants coming to the county to revolutionise recycling.

"We have also won major national recognition for the work we have done to revolutionise public transport, support the rural economy and improve the environment.

"It is also pleasing to see that the effort we have put into working with other organisations, such as the police, health services and district councils, is receiving recognition."

Blackburn with Darwen Council was also said to have made improvements to its services. The council was assessed as an "excellent top performing council" for the second year running by the Audit Commission, in its annual inspection of 150 councils.

Council Leader, Sir Bill Taylor, said: "We are pleased to have been judged as excellent overall but the most important aspect is that we have improved our education and social services so that they too are both three-star rated."

He added: " The council and its partners have achieved a lot in recent years but we know we need to listen to our residents and improve further to make our borough an attractive, safe and prosperous place in which to live."