Helston Town Council has become the first in Cornwall to receive the highest level of national recognition.

The council has been awarded Quality Gold status, the highest accreditation possible in the Local Council Award Scheme.

This is run by the National Association of Local Councils to recognise the work of councils in their community and how they are run.

By winning gold status, Helston has shown that it has the best practices in place, leads the community, brings people together and ensures value for money - all criteria in the award guidelines that have to be met.

Writing to Helston to confirm their new status, Sarah Mason, executive officer for the Cornwall Association of Local Councils and advisor to the accreditation panel, said: "Your application was highly commended and Helston Town Council is the first council in Cornwall to reach the highest level of national accreditation.

"The panel recognised the work undertaken by your clerk and officers in supporting your council’s website and the detailed content of your application."

Town mayor Gillian Geer welcomed the news, saying: "This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the town council’s achievements over the last few years.

"The Monument Walk public realm scheme has just been completed and the Helston & the Lizard Works project received its own recognition as runner-up in NALC’s Star Council Awards last month.

"The town council very much appreciates the dedication of the town clerk and his team in achieving this accolade."