BOLTON has come out in the top half of a national league table of how local councils have performed.

The borough is 34th out of 83 metropolitan councils for the way it delivers its services.

The councils are judged on their results in the Audit Commission's local authority performance tables.

The BEN reported in March how Bolton performed in each individual category tested. But now the Observer newspaper has carried out a major survey of all councils.

Among the services tested are the number of library visits, special education provision, council tax collection, the price of leisure facilities and provision for the elderly.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Bolton Council leader, said: "Bolton compares favourably with the other metropolitan authorities.

"We are not complacent about the areas where we are doing well and we will continue our efforts to improve our performance."

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