A NEW guide to "rural proofing" has won national recognition for Cumbria County Council. The CCC guide Thinking Rural will be presented to delegates at a conference of the Local Government Association as an example of excellence in developing rural policies.

The LGA rates CCC as one of the leading authorities in this field and Deputy PM John Prescott has also praised CCC for "taking the initiative to embed rural proofing into its mainstream policy and service delivery."

Mike Ash, deputy leader of the council, said: "The LGA scoured the country for examples of excellence in councils tackling rural issues. Cumbria County Council is leading the field and the people of Cumbria will receive a better service as a result."