THE North-East's biggest councils lead the rest of the country when it comes to the quality of their services, according to a report.

The annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) by Government watchdog the Audit Commission said most people were receiving better council services than ever and described the North-East as a "particularly bright picture".

The CPA, now in its third year, assesses each of the 150 single-tier and county councils in England and places them in one of five categories -excellent, good, fair, weak or poor.

The most improved in the North-East were South Tyneside and North Tyneside, which moved from fair to excellent and poor to fair respectively.

Redcar and Cleveland moved from fair to good, with particular improvements in social care and environmental services.

Durham County Council went from good to excellent and was "well placed to continue to improve the way it works and the services it provides".

Educational attainment rose with continuing improvement at GSCE level, while care for adults and children also improved.

Of other single-tier councils, Gateshead, Hartlepool, Stockton and Sunderland all maintain their excellent status, with Darlington, Middlesbrough and Newcastle retaining their good rating.

Bob Gibson, chairman of the Association of North-East Councils, said: "It is extremely encouraging that all but one of the region's councils are ranked in the excellent and good categories, putting the North-East firmly in the lead over the other English regions."

In North Yorkshire, the county council and York City retained their 'good' ratings.

Smaller district councils in the region are assessed separately throughout the year and were not included in the survey.