WILTSHIRE'S Probation Service is the best in the South West, according to a Home Office report.

The work of the county's team has been measured against national standards and those of colleagues across the region in a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation.

The inspection covered everything from what local magistrates thought of the service, to the way probation officers work with offenders.

Although inspectors have drawn up a list of recommendations to improve the service, Wiltshire has been given the highest rating available.

The report also said it offered the best value for money in the region, which encompasses Gloucestershire, Devon and Cornwall and Somerset.

And it said Wiltshire performed better than any other area when it came to returning offenders to court when they failed to keep within the terms of a court order.

"We are delighted with the findings of this report which pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of the staff," said Wiltshire's chief probation officer Diana Fulbrook. "We now look forward to working together to create an even better service."

The inspection said that Wiltshire needed to look at equality issues and also at its community punishment, previously known as community service, operations.

The service has already agreed an action plan to pick up on some of HMIP's suggestions and inspectors will return in a year's time to see what progress has been made.

"The inspectors said that they were impressed with our policies for managing risk and our close working relationship with other agencies," added Mrs Fulbrook. "They noted out Investors In People and Positive about Disabled People Two Ticks Award and the way our staff are committed to delivering the What Works programme for offenders."