Region's social services shine

The report says services in the region have improved

Social services in the Yorkshire and Humber region are among the best in England, according to new government league tables.

The region is also one of the most improved in the past year, figures from the Department of Health show.

It came second only to the East Midlands in a table showing the average performance of its local authorities.

Two councils in the region - Kirklees and North Lincolnshire - have been given the top three-star rating for their work in 2003 by the department's social services inspectorate (SSI).

Only 16 of the 152 local authorities in England were awarded the maximum star rating.

None of the region's social services departments fell into the zero star category.

The best performing councils are given more freedom in the way they use central government funds and are subject to less inspection from Whitehall.