top customer service THREE public service organisations in Oxfordshire have won Government awards for customer service.

Cherwell Environmental Health, Faringdon School, and Oxfordshire Trading Standards were awarded Charter Marks.

The trading standards and environmental health departments are among just 128 organisations nationwide to have won the award twice.

Cabinet Office Minister Jack Cunningham said: "I congratulate all three Oxfordshire services whose efforts have gained them this award for excellent services. Charter Mark is about rewarding services that listen and respond to their users and staff."

Charter Mark holders must convince the judges they have come up with innovative ways of improving services at no extra cost to the public; consult users about improving services; provide courteous and helpful service; have a clear and well publicised complaints prodedure; and show that they have spent taxpayers' money wisely.

This year a record 1,202 applied but only 508 won. Another 237 were commended.

Among other organisations in the 1998 list are Thames Water and Chiltern Railways, which won its second Charter Mark. Managing director Adrian Shooter said: "We are the first to acknowledge that 1998 was a difficult year operationally and this did impact on our punctuality and reliability. Nevertheless, throughout we have made every effort to keep our passengers informed and our staff put their hearts and souls into alleviating passenger disruption."

The Cabinet Office says that many of the winners were nominated by members of the public who wanted to thank them organisations for the excellent service.

Story date: Wednesday 27 January

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