SOMERSET'S Trading Standards department is among the best in the country . . . even though it is understaffed.

An assessment by the Institute for Public Finance concluded that the department provided a modernising and improving service.

The county council service produces an annual plan to show how it contributes towards the authority's community objectives, and to reveal its plans to develop and mdoernise.

For examples of how the service has protected traders and customers over the last year, see this week's Somerset County Gazette.