TWO North-East authorities have been ranked among the country's top five per cent for social services.

But others have been judged as serving only some people well and having uncertain prospects.

In the first Government report based on new assessments, Sunderland and Newcastle are among eight local authorities in Britain to receive the top three-star rating.

Issued by the Social Services Inspectorate (SSI) and the Department of Health, the report is the first time such comprehensive ratings have been published.

They provide a picture of social services' performances, separating those for adults and children, and including how well they are serving people and prospects for improvement.

The ratings are based on evaluations over the past year, and will form part of an overall assessment of local councils.

Sunderland's director of social services, John Marsden, said: "This means our services for adults and children serve most people well.

"The rating shows we have excellent prospects for continuing to do well."

Newcastle was also judged as serving most adults and children well, and having excellent prospects.

The three-star ratings will result in extra funding, greater freedom and more influence on national social services policies for the two authorities.

Gateshead, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and York were awarded two stars, while Darlington, Durham, North Yorkshire, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton received one.

Durham, Darlington and Stockton were judged as serving some people well and having promising prospects; North Yorkshire was found to serve most adults and some children well, and have promising prospects for adults and uncertain prospects for children; and Redcar and Cleveland served some people well and had uncertain prospects.