TWO Durham County Council social services teams are celebrating after retaining a Government award.

The council's Learning Disabilities Supported Housing and the Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment Daycare services continue to hold the Government's coveted Charter Mark after re-inspections.

Teresa Brown, service manager of the daycare group, said: "Charter Mark is an independent assessment of the services provided in daycentres.

"The award demonstrates that services within the daycentres are high quality and highly valued by the people who attend. I am very proud of the staff teams who have worked so hard to maintain this award."

Ian Bennett, service manager for Learning Disabilities Supported Housing, said: "I am delighted that we have retained Charter Mark. It is a very rigorous review process of the support service we provide to people with learning disabilities.

"Everyone has worked very hard to ensure that our service continues to improve in order for us to retain this very worthwhile, nationally-recognised award."