HEALTH workers across North Durham have been praised for achieving a star-ratings hat-trick.

The Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust was awarded three stars by the Healthcare Commission for its performance.

The trust has been in operation for three years and it has notched three stars each year.

Trust chairwoman Lady Ann Calman described the achievement as "fantastic''.

"It is a remarkable achievement to learn that, out of a total of 303 primary care organisations across the country, we are only one of seven - and the only one in the North-East - to have achieved the three-star rating each year,'' she said.

"This achievement demonstrates the hard work and dedicated professionalism of all our staff, family health services and partner organisations.

"I would like to thank our exceptional team for their continued commitment during the past three years.''

The trust had achieved Government targets, including the number of people awaiting in-patient treatment and a 33 per cent reduction in circulatory diseases.