Council climbs out of zero-rating

Swindon's social services have been awarded one-star status after being zero-rated for three years.

Government inspectors, who carried out the annual survey, said services to both children and adults had improved.

Swindon Borough Council has received help from experts at Kent's social services department, which has retained its three-star status.

Social care director Andrew Ireland said although there was some way to go, it was a great boost for the town.

He said: "I think it's really very important, in terms of morale, in terms of public perception as well as recognition for the real efforts that have been made to address some of the issues within the service."