COUNTY Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority has been rated as a "fair'' organisation in the first Audit Commission assessment of the service.

The finding was published yesterday, following the commission's Comprehensive Performance Assessment.

The rigorous process looked purely at how well a fire and rescue authority was being managed by senior staff and authority members - not on how well it responded to emergency incidents.

The probe was part of a wider Government programme to improve delivery of local services to the public.

The "fair'' rating for the authority means, in real terms, that its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

The commission recognised several aspects of the authority's performance, including the commitment of members and staff to protecting and improving the communities of the area.

It also praised the authority's increasing and innovative community safety activities, its sound performance management, its clear vision for the future, its established partnership and regional work, its general trend of improvement and the introduction of new staff development programmes.

It also, however, recommended where improvements should be made and these included the authority's approach to long-term planning, its progress towards equality and diversity targets and its formal relationship between the service and elected authority members.

Responding quickly to recommendations, the authority has now put in place a plan to effect improvements in all the identified areas.

Councillor Charles Magee, chairman of the authority, said: "This assessment has provided us with a real opportunity to take stock of the service and has also provided us all with an important benchmark from which to build our strengths and address our weaknesses.''

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Paul Henderson said that he was confident the service was operating in a highly-satisfactory manner.

He added: "The Comprehensive Performance Assessment process has, however, made us all stand back during our busy working year and look in a new way where our day-to-day management and planning can better help us to realise our vision to make County Durham and Darlington a safe place to live and work.''

Neighbouring Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Authority has been rated "fair overall'' in the assessment by the commission.

The findings stated: "The authority is working hard to deliver its vision of creating the safest community, against a background of high levels of social deprivation.''

While applauding its achievements, the commission has said the authority still has work to do.