BLACKBURN with Darwen education authority has won praise from an education watchdog.

The council was today told it was setting an example for others when it comes to its ability to conduct business as openly as possible, produce effective action plans on school budgets and reach out to a diverse community.

The LEA featured in a strategy publication which looked at nine authorities. Decision making, planning and leadership, by elected members and senior staff, were put under scrutiny.

But it was the council education team's ability to work with schools on its corporate budget setting process, that won it the accolade.

The conclusion comes weeks after all councils were accused of budget mismanagement by education secretary Charles Clarke.

Inspectors found that the system by which corporate budgets are set, with a review and re-statement of priorities, was an effective way of management.

Inspectors said: "The council begins its work early in the budgets cycle to ensure that financial decision affecting schools are discussed openly and that, when final allocations are made, there are no surprises."