CHRISTCHURCH Borough Council is above average. And that's official.

Latest figures published by the Audit Commission have scored the council "above average" in all but one of the indicators showing satisfaction with performance when compared with the UK's other district councils.

The council says the figures confirm the improving satisfaction of residents with the council's performance in recent years.

In 2000/01, 50 per cent of the indicators were above average.

That increased to 82 per cent in 2003/4 and has now reached 94 per cent. And that puts the council in the top 25 per cent in the country.

Biggest improvement in Christchurch is satisfaction with the planning service which was in the bottom quarter of councils in 2000/01 and now figures in the top 25 per cent.

Chief executive Michael Turvey said: "We were over the mooon when we got the results of the satisfaction survey showing that 72 per cent of our residents were satisfied with our overall performance, compared with a national average of 55 per cent.

"Now that the Audit Commission has released figures allowing us to compare our performance against other district councils we can see just how well we are doing.

"Even in the one indicator where we were ranked just below average - for overall satisfaction with the service of our benefit office - 77 per cent of people responding say they were satisfied, which is still a commendable result.

"Needless to say we will not be resting on our laurels and will be continuing to look for ways to improve our performance even more in the future."

Where Christchurch scores in the top quarter of councils: Planning, handling complaints, waste recycling, sports and leisure, museums and galleries, theatres and concert halls, parks and open spaces.

Second quarter scores were in general cleanliness of the area and household waste collection.

The benefits service had a special category. "Contacts" there were in the top quarter but the other indicators were all in the second or third quarters.