TWO local authorities are celebrating receiving national awards for the excellence of their services.

Sedgefield Borough Council has received a Charter Mark award for its outstanding work in the health profession.

The authority's Fit for Life scheme helps people return to work after serious illness.

Fit for Life co-ordinator Liz Jordan and Gary Cooper received the award by Lord Macdonald, Minister for the Cabinet Office.

Darlington Borough Council has been awarded the Government's highest accolade of Beacon Council status for its community legal services.

The scheme selects high achieving councils to act as centres of excellence and helps to spread best practice to other local authorities.

The service was set up last year to give Darlington residents the opportunity to access good quality advice on legal issues.

It was then developed to include the needs of young people in the town.

The service has an appointed specialist Citizens Advice Bureau worker who operates exclusively with young people through the council's mobile contact bus - the Blitz Bus - and Elmfield Addictions Centre.

Councillor John Williams, leader of Darlington council, said: "This award will spur us on to further achievements and we will continue to provide the best service we can to meet local needs."

Anyone wishing to access the Community Legal Services can call the helpline on 0845 608 1122.