STAFF in Pendle Council's parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation department were celebrating today after receiving the thumbs-up from government inspectors.

Following a 12-month Best Value inspection during 2000, the service, based at Marsden Hall Farm, in Walton Lane, Nelson, was awarded two stars out of a possible three-star rating and was said to deliver 'good services to local people'.

A report by the inspectors said the parks and cemeteries service had clear and challenging aims and objectives which were co-ordinated through its parks strategy.

It also said that the parks and cemeteries service 'is probably going to improve'.

The council maintains 450 hectares of land, including 11 parks and recreation grounds, six cemeteries and churchyards, 41 play areas and various open space sites, and has an in-house ground maintenance team and arboriculture.

Chief executive Stephen Barnes said: "The achievement of two stars -- out of a possible three-star system -- plus an acknowledgement that we can improve further is excellent."

The in-house ground maintenance staff were referred to as 'skilled and highly experienced' and the cemeteries service was said to provide a good level of service to the people of Pendle.

But the report also pointed out that some areas relating to the promotion and publicity of park usage, education projects, addressing deteriorating infrastructure, such as toilets and cafes, and joint working with other service areas to tackle wider social agendas had not progressed with the same pace.

A Citizen Panel Survey carried out as part of the review showed that 67 per cent of people felt the parks in Pendle were either very well or quite well looked after. 58 per cent felt the money spent on parks was either very good or quite good value for money. Colin Patten, manager of the service, said: "This is clearly a team effort."