LANCASHIRE folk revealed just what they think of their county council, when the results of a special survey were announced this week.

Preston residents were among the group of 2,500 people who were interviewed by MORI Government Research Unit workers for a survey commissioned by Lancashire County Council.

Participants answered questions on a wide range of subjects, including quality of life in Lancashire, satisfaction with the county council and its services and the customer care being delivered.

And at the launch at the Woodlands Centre, in Southport Road, Chorley on Monday, it emerged that most Lancashire residents are satisfied with life in the county, and think the county council is doing a good job.

Adrian Britten, the county council's media and public relations manager, said the figures for numbers of people happy with Lancashire County Council's services were some of the highest MORI researchers had ever seen for a county council.

More than eight in 10 residents said they were satisfied with their local area as a place to live, while 39 per cent were very satisfied. And the survey showed Preston residents think the county council provides good education, library, street lighting and recycling services.

But he added: "Where we fall down is what people think of the county council itself. They have a poor view of the value for money that we are delivering. We need to explain what the county council is and what they do."

The survey showed that Lancashire residents want councillors to forge stronger links between local communities and the county council. And to help keep residents informed about the council, its services and benefits, he said a Lancashire County Council newspaper will be delivered door-to-door across the county in April.

This week's launch was also attended by Ben Page, director of the MORI unit, the county council's research and consultation co-ordinator, Lindsay MacFarlaine, and county council leader John West.

County councillor West said: "The results give us a really in-depth and detailed understanding of how the people of Lancashire perceive the county council and its services.

"They will play a central role when we are formulating future policies and actions."