LANCASHIRE police have remained among the top performing forces in the country under assessments carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

But Lancashire's top officer said the constabulary, named among the top tier of forces last year too, will not become complacement and admitted there was still "plenty of work to do".

Under the assessments police forces are graded as excellent, good, fair or poor in seven areas.

Lancashire received two "excellents" for investigating crime and resource use, three "goods" for promoting safety, providing assistance, and local policing and two "fairs" for reducing crime and citizen focus.

The assessment also looks at whether these areas are improving, stable or deteriorating.

The constabulary, which faces merger with other North West forces as part of a Government restructuring, was said to be improving in the areas of investigating crime, promoting safety, providing assistance, resource use, and local policing.

Reducing crime and citizen focus are stable. No areas were found to be deteriorating.

Acting Chief Constable, Steve Finnigan, said: "We were pleased with the findings of last year's assessment but were determined to maintain our levels of performance, not simply because we wanted to retain our place in the top tier, but because we believe it is what the people of Lancashire expect and deserve.

"We have worked hard and sought improvements across the board, some of which we have achieved, but there is still plenty of work to be done."