PROFITS of more than a quarter of a million pounds will be ploughed back into local services provided by Blackburn Council.

The council's operations department, which provides services such as bin emptying, street lighting and road repairs, finished the year with profits of more than £280,000.

The department is subject to open competition from private firms and must achieve profits specified by the Government or face closure.

Operations director Ian Stephenson presented the department's annual report to the Mayor, Coun Maureen Bateson, at the department's Davyfield Road headquarters

Council leader Malcolm Doherty said: "These are excellent results, especially considering the general economic recession.

"I am delighted with all the staff who have worked so hard to make it a successful year.

Operations committee vice-chairman Dave Harling said there had been excellent teamwork throughout the year, across the operations department and the rest of the council.

He added: "One of the major benefits of the council providing services itself is that any profits come straight back to the council and can be used to benefit local services.

"The council would not get a penny if we were employing private contractors."

Mr Stephenson said that though results were excellent, they had to be excellent every year. "There is no room for complacency."

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