Staff at Sutton Council have scooped a customer service excellence award.

A recent inspection by Cabinet Office examiners led to the council's Revenues and Benefits team achieving its Customer Service Excellence accreditation for three more years.

Councillor Richard Clifton, a spokesman for Revenues and Benefits, said: "I am very proud of the hard work and professionalism put in by every member of the team."

Inspectors praised the decision to send text messages to remind council taxpayers that a payment is due and the work of the welfare reform outreach officer in helping residents understand changes to housing benefits.