CIVIC bosses in North Dorset are celebrating after hearing their district council is no longer tainted as "weak" and has climbed up the ladder to "good".

It follows an inspection by the independent Audit Commission looking at the overall performance of the district council focusing on its ambitions, ability to improve services and what has been achieved since its negative assessment in 2004.

The council's success is doubly cause for celebration because it is desperately short of cash.

Its strengths now include a good understanding of local needs because it interacts well with the community, and its clear and well understood aims for improving services.

This has led to great strides in the quality of services in areas such as affordable homes, including the council successfully tackling the government over a new housing development in Shaftesbury.

The commission also praises investment in training and development of staff and councillors.

Commission senior manager, Martin Robinson, said: "North Dorset is now a good council that is performing well in meeting its priorities.

"It faces a challenging financial future but a number of improvements made since 2004 have helped the council sharpen its focus, prioritise well and plan positively to deal with its funding shortfall."

Liz Goodall, council chief executive, said: "Everyone has worked extremely hard to achieve this standard. I am particularly proud of the employees."

But Cllr Peter Webb, leader of the council, added: "We should not forget that, if anything, the challenges are rising.

"It will need continued concerted effort and engagement if we are to see our communities continue to progress and improve."

The inspection does however note some areas where the council must pull up its socks.

These include better management of value for money, and additional staff to answer telephone calls from the public.