LANCASHIRE'S social services department was taken out of special measures today but told it needs to be more certain of its plans for the future.

Lancashire County Council's social services department -- which plans to close 35 of its 48 OAP homes -- has been awarded one star as part of the government's new assessment scheme.

The star scale runs from zero for poor to three for excellent. One star means adequate but two, awarded to Blackburn with Darwen Council, means good.

The awarding of the one star marks a significant improvement in services since a review in February 2000 revealed the authority was failing many of the people it was supposed to be helping.

A county spokesman said: "The authority is currently out to consultation on its plans for the future. Once decisions have been made then the future for the services will be clear."

County Coun Chris Cheetham, the Cabinet Member for Social Services, said: "Staff, managers and councillors have worked very hard over the last two years to improve services. "

Blackburn with Darwen social services department was awarded two stars, one of just a handful in the North West to achieve the status.

Coun Sue Reid, in charge of Social Services, said: "I am pleased that this independent assessment is yet another indication that the council is continuing to perform at the highest level.

"It places the Social Services Department in the country's top 20 per cent."