Preston’s council has been named as Labour ‘council of the year’.

The Labour Party holds its annual awards for councils and Preston has been recognised for its work with business.

The Preston Model has been widely featured in the media in the last few months – a model which sees the council work with ‘anchor institutions’ to keep jobs and investment in the city.

Leader of the city council councillor Peter Rankin said: “I was so pleased to receive this award. It was a thrill and a fantastic credit for everything we have been doing in Preston. We created a partnership with other public enterprises to work more closely with Lancashire businesses. The Preston Model of community wealth building is working very well.

“We are thrilled that our initiative is recognised across not just the UK but across Europe as well. We are fortunate that Preston and Lancashire is home to many innovative and growing businesses. Supporting our local business community and creating jobs for Preston and Lancashire people is an important part of our work in Preston. Clearly we are ambitious and want Preston to help Lancashire become a crucial part of the Northern Powerhouse.”

The judges pointed to an increase in the last four years of 80 per cent being spent on goods and services in Preston and Lancashire.

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Organisations such as the University of Central Lancashire and Lancashire County Council have been working with the city council on the initiative.