BOLTON'S housing service has been given a high star rating by independent inspectors.

And if it can reach the next level it will pave the way for hundreds of millions of pounds to invest in housing.

The Audit Commission gave two out of three stars because they found customer care to be a top priority and staff, councillors and tenants all committed to making further improvements.

And if the service reaches the top rating - which no authority has yet achieved - there are opportunities to unlock more Government money as a reward for being a best performer.

The inspectors said that the council's emergency repairs performance matches the best in the country and an estate-based mobile repairs service was highly regarded by tenants. Both are run in partnership with Direct Services.

Chief inspector Mike Maunder said: "The council has a track record of service improvement and has already made rapid progress with its improvement plan."

Cllr Noel Spencer, Bolton's housing executive member said: "It is a real accolade of all the hard work the staff has done."

On the down side inspectors pointed out that the massive repairs backlog - which is estimated at around £150million - has resulted in many tenants waiting longer than six months for repairs.

To deal with the current crisis - which is part of a national problem - Bolton Council has submitted an application to the Government to set up an Arms Length Management Organisation for the service. An answer is expected in the next 10 days.

It is one of a number of options available but would allow the council to invest the £224 million it needs on its 22,000 homes in the next seven years.

UNISON is holding a public meeting about the future of council housing in the town tonight at the Lancaster Suite at the town hall from 6.15pm.

HOUSING ACCOLADE: Cllr Noel Spencer