AS a former Wigan councillor and a local resident I was delighted to read that the work of Wigan MBC has been officially recognised by the Government as "excellent".

This is nothing other than the result of hard work and steadfast commitment to Labour policies over many years, which have always placed the welfare of local people of all walks of life as their top priority.

My heartfelt congratulations to Council Leader Lord Smith, Chief Executive Steve Jones and all councillors and officers.

Keep up the good work.

It is just one more thing about Wigan that I can tell people in Europe.

Terry Wynn MEP