SOCIAL services staff are celebrating their third successive award for quality.

Members of the North Yorkshire Councy Council's social services' customer relations units have again been awarded a charter mark.

The service was independently assessed by the East Midlands Quality Centre against criteria set by the Government.

Councillor Chris Metcalfe, the county council's executive member for community services, said: "The social services customer relations service is an excellent example of an effective and efficient customer service.

"This accolade is further evidence that North Yorkshire County Council is performing well and delivering the services which local people both want and need."

Derek Law, corporate director for social services, said: "I'm delighted that the high-quality service provided by the customer relations units has once again been recognised."