A NORTH-EAST council has been praised in a Mori report for its improvements in street cleaning and refuse collections.

The praise for Stockton Borough Council came in the report, The Rising Prominence of Liveability.

A survey carried out by Mori revealed that, compared with two years ago, Stockton residents' satisfaction with street cleaning and refuse collection had increased.

Satisfaction with street cleaning rose from 53 per cent to 69 per cent, and satisfaction with refuse collection increased from 81 per cent to 89 per cent.

Councillor Steve Nelson, cabinet member for the environment, said: "The initial results from the Mori poll were very encouraging as they showed residents were noticing a difference across the borough.

"Our Care For Your Area campaign has helped to make a real difference and has brought about improvements in the cleanliness of the borough."