COUNCIL officials are celebrating after being presented with a prestigious award.

Westhoughton Town Council has become a Quality Parish Council. The town’s deputy mayor, Cllr Barbara Ramsden, was presented with a certificate to mark the achievement.

To achieve the status the council had to prove it was representative, in touch with its communities and competent. It had to submit a portfolio of its work, which included administration, communication and financial accountability.

Cllr Ramsden said: “It is a deep honour to receive this award. I hope the council will continue to work hard in the future in order to achieve this status again.”