WARRINGTON Borough Council has been promoted to the premiership' of local authorities, according to a new report.

Watchdog group the Audit Commission has given the authority a four-star rating - the top available - in its latest round of inspections released today, Thursday.

The score puts Warrington in the excellent category for the first time since the league tables were introduced.

And the Town Hall has extra reason to celebrate after a national survey shows that residents in the town believe the council has continued to meet their needs - above the national average.

Council leader Clr Ian Marks (LD - Lymm) said: "Achieving the maximum four-star rating is great news for the council and its residents.

"This is not about patting ourselves on the back.

"We are not complacent and we will work hard to maintain the top level we've set and continue to improve.

"There is still a lot to be done, not least in ensuring that the public is aware of the wide range of services we provide."

And Clr Keith Bland, deputy leader (CON - Culcheth), said it was good to know the council is moving in the right direction, adding: "As one of the lowest spending councils in the country, Warrington continues to improve."

The Audit Commission report singled out recycling, street cleaning and care for the vulnerable among the council's successes.

However, it said improvements were needed, especially to reduce the number of empty houses across the town and improving the way the council engages with residents - especially black and minority ethnic communities.