LANCASHIRE County Council has been short-listed for Beacon Council status for its work on improving access.

The Beacon Scheme identifies excellence and innovation in local government, and aims to share good practice so councils can learn from each other and deliver high-quality services.

The county's work on enabling residents to access services such as employment, learning and health, regardless of where they live, will now be investigated in detail by inspectors from the Improvement and Development Agency.

Council leader Hazel Harding said: "It is important that everyone can access services and we are pleased that the county's efforts have been recognised.

"New ways for people to contact the county council are being developed all the time, through the internet, face-to-face contact and various other means.

"By providing different methods to contact us, it encourages people to engage with the county council and helps them to access important services."

County Coun Tony Martin, cabinet member for sustainable develop-ment, said: "The award looks at how we work with other partners to ensure residents have access to opportunities and that they are not disadvantaged by where they live.

"To be shortlisted is only the first step, but it means that we are among the best in the country based on what the inspectors have seen so far."