THE VALE council is in the running to be named as the best local authority in the UK.

The council has been shortlisted for the Local Authority of the Year award at the Municipal Journal (MJ) Achievement Awards 2017.

Only six councils in the UK have made the final shortlist.

The nomination has come at the end of a municipal year that has seen the council praised by local government secretary Mark Drakeford and the Wales Audit Office and rated as the highest performing local authority in Wales by the Local Government Data Unit for the second year running.

The authority also received the team of the year accolade at the Local Government Chronicle Awards 2017.

Rob Thomas, managing director of the council, said: "The Vale of Glamorgan Council has a long track record of delivering first class services and a deserved reputation for prudent financial management.

"In recent years we have worked to build on this and establish ourselves as not only the best council in Wales but in the whole of the UK.

"In 2016 we announced a new vision for the organisation, to build strong communities with a bright future.

"To have our work towards delivering this recognised so early into this journey and by such a prestigious body is a testament to how hard colleagues are working in all areas of the council."

The category highlights success right across the organisation.

The awards are judged by influential commentators from the private and public sectors and the winner will be announced at a ceremony taking place on June 15.

Heather Jameson, editor of The MJ, said: "The MJ Awards always receive a large number of entries so the Vale of Glamorgan Council has done really well to get into the shortlist.

"It's a great tribute to the council's team."