WILTSHIRE County Council social services has been highly rated in a national league. The department got two stars out of three in a national assessment.

Nationally 50 councils got two stars, eight received three stars, 82 got just one and ten received no stars at all.

Annie Hall, director of social services at the council, said: "We are delighted with the two star rating from the government which means we are amongst the best county council social services in the county.

"I am particularly pleased that the hard work of staff to deliver good quality services to the people of Wiltshire, within our limited resources, has been recognised."

Councils were ranked according to two main criteria; do they serve people well and what are the prospects for improvement.

In Wiltshire it was decided that most children were being served well and, in services aimed at adults, some people were being served well and there were promising prospects for improvement.