THREE of Stockton Borough Council's services have come out tops by achieving a Government award for excellence.

Staff at the housing benefits, catering, and investment and enabling services of the housing and contract services department are celebrating being awarded the charter mark.

Neil Schneider, director of housing and contract services, said yesterday: "We are delighted at the news of achieving charter mark.

"It's no mean feat to gain the award - the process is meticulous, and shows our services are focused on our customers' needs. The award reflects many months of behind-the-scenes work."

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for housing and community safety, said yesterday: "I am absolutely delighted that three have all achieved this prestigious award. This clearly shows the high quality of our services, which reflect the hard work and commitment of staff to achieving high standards."

The catering service provides school meals in 66 primary schools and two secondary schools. It also provides civic catering to council departments, as well as an external service.

The investment and enabling division provides services to people who live in private and public sector housing and works in partnership with the private sector in the provision of affordable housing.

It coordinates the improvement programme for council housing and estates and helps the private sector, as well as allocating grants for facilities for disabled people.

The benefits service deals with claims for both housing and council tax benefits. Last year, officials made more than a quarter of a million benefit decisions and dealt with around 460 inquiries daily.