COUNTY Durham's trading standards service has received high praise in a survey.

Ninety-four per cent of businesses are "more than happy'' with the overall level of service they receive from the standards office, an eight per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

A total of 97 per cent of those questioned said the information and advice they received was easy to understand.

The survey was distributed to a random sample of traders and farmers who had used the service over the past year.

Phillip Holman, head of trading standards, said: "As enforcers as well as advisors, it's pleasing to see our efforts to provide a better service have been recognised by the trading community.

"We always prefer to advise and educate businesses, to help them comply with legislation and create a fair and equitable market place.

"We also carried out a survey of business needs over the same period, and 91 per cent of businesses found advice on new legislation to be useful to the running of their business.''

Councillor Alan Cox, cabinet member for trading standards, said: "It's pleasing to see such positive feedback for one of our frontline services. It helps to promote a strong local economy."