A COUNCIL has been commended for its achievements by a national body.

Sunderland City Council was one of five councils in the country to receive a commendation in the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards for Excellence.

Although it was pipped at the post for the top title, it scooped the Legal Services Team of the Year award.

The accolades were for the council's efforts to improve educational attainment, its beacon status for regeneration through sport and tourism, delivery of high quality services, £320m investment programme, pushing through the UK's largest housing stock transfer, winning pathfinder status through its e-government initiatives, and having the best horticulture in the region, the country and Europe.

Chief executive Colin Sinclair said: "To be shortlisted for the title of Council of the Year is a major achievement in itself."

The Council of the Year award went jointly to Blackburn with Darwen, and Camden councils, while Stockton, on Teesside, was among other authorities on the shortlist.