The leader of Northamptonshire County Council has denied that its services are failing despite a series of poor results in government inspections.

A report by the Audit Commission said the authority was worthy of five out of a possible 18 stars.

Conservatives on the Council have been critical of the ruling group's performance.

But Councillor Mick Young, who leads the authority, said it was wrong to say that services were "failing".

"That implies that they're just not doing anything at all," he said.

Councillor Young admitted that some service areas were not performing at the highest level.

But he said simply totalling the marks from other inspections was an unfair way of judging the council's situation.

"It would be wrong to say that services are failing," said Councillor Young.