A TEESSIDE council has been marked top of the class in value for money by inspectors.

Middlesbrough Council has received "excellent'' ratings from the Audit Commissionfor its delivery of services and the way the authority is managed.

It won the top ratings following two inspection visits made earlier this year. They were awarded under the comprehensive performance assessment framework.

However, rules for the framework are being changed and council chief executive Jan Richmond warned department heads they must stay on their toes.

She said: "I would like to thank colleagues for all their hard work throughout the process. It has taken a considerable amount of effort from staff across the organisation.

"However, we cannot become complacent.

"From December, it will become much more difficult for councils to be classified as excellent. We will have to work hard, very hard, if we are to retain our excellent status."