AN opposition leader has launched a scathing attack on a Labour council after an Audit Commission report.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Conservative Party leader, Vera Moody, has claimed credit for improvements in the authority due to her party's effective opposition.

The Labour-run council was rated as fair by the Audit Commission, although neighbouring council Hartlepool was rated as excellent and Stockton and Middlesbrough authorities as good.

Mrs Moody made reference to comments from council leader Councillor David Walsh, who said that three years ago the council was a "basket case", but had dramatically improved.

The Conservative leader said: "David Walsh is right that three years ago they were a basket case. The electors thought they were and won't be fooled by a slight improvement to what is still a below-average rating. The residents remember that he and the other members of the Labour-controlled council executive were in charge then and sadly still are. Labour would not have dragged themselves up without an effective Conservative opposition."

Mrs Moody said the council urgently needed better information technology and that only last month the council made cuts in neighbourhood services.

Coun Walsh said: "Far from our improvements being down to an effective opposition, in fact, the opposition is noted for one thing and one thing only - its utter silence, presumably on orders from their leader, 'the quiet man,' Iain Duncan Smith. The reality is it is Labour's administration which has made the difference."

The next council elections will be held in May.