SATISFACTION with Rossendale Council services has increased, an independent survey revealed today.

Results show 62.4 per cent of people are very or fairly satisfied with the way the council is run -- compared with 27 per cent in 2003.

The survey also revealed 75.5 per cent feel the council has at least maintained standards over the last three years compared to 56.6 since the last survey.

Council bosses said there was still more work to be done after a further 19.1 per cent were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied and 18.5 per cent were dissatisfied.

The authority has undergone major changes since a disastrous Audit Commission report branded the council the worst in the country.

An organisational review resulted in a massive shake-up in middle management while staff working from the dilapidated Rawten-stall Town Hall are to move to the newly built Futures park, Bacup.

Council leader Duncan Ruddick said: "Coun-cillors and staff have been working hard to deliver real improvements to services.

"This can be seen in initiatives such as the Neighbourhood Environ-mental Action Teams and the public's response to recycling services."

Around 800 residents completed a survey carried out by Beacon Research by phone on the council's performance in areas ranging from waste management, cultural services, benefits service and future priorities.

Several areas were highlighted as performing well.

Council chief executive Owen Williams said: "The results of the survey are very encouraging.

"This is a totally independent survey which demonstrates our customers have growing confidence in the council's ability to deliver high quality services.

"We are pleased with the direction of travel but we know there is still much to do.

"As a next step we will take the full findings of the survey through our overview and scrutiny committee to ensure we use this information to continue our improve-ment of services."

The council will use the survey to help it target specific areas where services need improving and intend to follow up the survey annually to pick up trends and direct resources.