The county council was one of eight across England to be awarded no stars after investigations by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

The commission has told the council it was not serving children well.

Councils in the zero-star bracket are subject to monthly inspections from the commission, which can then recommend further action to ministers.

None of the East region's counties picked up the maximum rating of three stars.

Big job to do

On Thursday, Bedfordshire County Council's children's services executive member, councillor Madeline Russell, said: "We know that there is still a big job to do, but it is now acknowledged that we have the basics in place and are in a better position to progress more quickly."

Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Luton and Essex retained their two stars; Suffolk and Peterborough moved up to two stars from one; while Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Southend retained their one-star rating.

All 150 councils in England were given a star rating - from zero to three stars after accommodation, education and health provisions for children and adults in council care were assessed.

Failing councils targeted

The others zero-rated were Birmingham, Cumbria, Ealing, Isles of Scilly, Oldham, Plymouth and Swindon.

Commission chair Dame Denise Platt said they would be "very hard" on failing councils.

"We may not be in and out every few minutes but when we are there, discussions will be tough," she said.

In some cases the council may have to employ external consultants to work with staff to make the necessary improvements.

The commission's report suggests overall social services provided by local councils is steadily improving.