HILLINGDON's record of providing a high standard of service to its residents and responding to their concerns has seen it named Local Authority of the Year.

The council scooped four top national titles at the Good Communications Awards 2008, with its Contact Centre performing the best overall.

It won Contact Centre of the Year and the Contact Centre Training Award, while the Corporate Communications team, which includes the council press officers and publishes Hillingdon People magazine, was also named Local Authority Public Relations Team of the Year.

The Local Authority of the Year award is won by the council judged to have delivered the most innovative, cost effective and all-round communications strategy. The others recognise its commitment to areas including staff training and call handling.

Customer services manager Lynn Smith said: "I am absolutely delighted. The awards are due to the staff, who work tire-lessly to ensure we provide an excellent service to the residents of Hillingdon."

Corporate communications head David Holdstock said: "Communicating with our residents and giving information on what their council is doing for them, and how we spend their money, is one of our top priorities. These awards recognise the tremendous efforts staff are making to improve the way we communicate and listen to our residents."