ROSSENDALE Borough Council has won a prestigious local government award for demonstrating the highest possible standards and ethics.

The council beat Ceredigion, Leeds City Council, Lincolnshire, Newark and Sherwood and Newcastle City Council to scoop the Standards and Ethics Award at the annual LGC Awards 2009.

The LGC is one of the main trade magazines for local Government and the awards celebrate best practice in councils across the UK.

Coun Tony Swain, council leader, said: “I am absolutely delighted we won this award.

"It is vindication of all the hard work done since Rossendale council was highly criticised by the Audit Commission in 2002.

“It is also testament to the strong team work that exists between councillors and council officers and I’m pleased this has been recognised at a national level.”