THE watchdog for local authorities in the North-East and North Yorkshire has published its annual report.

Patricia Thomas is the Local Government Ombudsman responsible for dealing with complaints about councils in the region.

The number of complaints received from councils in County Durham was down to 155 from 196 in the previous 12 months.

Authorities in the Cleveland area were complained about 149 times in the 12 months to April, nine more than the previous year.

The figure for North Yorkshire was slightly down, at 222, compared with 237 in 2002/2003.

The main issues for complaints were housing, roads and planning.

The number of complaints across the country rose during the period, from 17,610 to 18,982, an increase of 8.4 per cent, and the second highest total ever.

Housing benefit complaints continued to fall, by nine per cent, but there were significant increases in planning complaints (17 per cent) and complaints about highways (22 per cent).

In the joint report, the three ombudsmen said: "In the 30 years since the Local Government Ombudsman was established, the commission has developed from modest beginnings into a highly productive and successful operation, ready and able to adapt to public service reform and the changing regulatory environment."