EIGHT social services teams have successfully reapplied for a quality standard. The teams from County Durham Care, which had Charter Mark awards, resubmitted their applications in 2001 and last year.

A spokesman for County Durham Care said: "Since 1999-2000, the eight teams have been working hard to ensure their services were maintaining the Charter Mark standards and building on our initial achievements.

"Achieving the awards was a significant milestone for County Durham Care in meeting the test of best value and demonstrating that quality services are at the heart of what we do.

"Having said that, the real test for our services has been this last three year period of high change and uncertainty, when the staff have continued to apply the very best and highest standards."