Coventry City Council has been ranked among the worst in the country.

An Audit Commission report assessed its performance as "poor", the lowest possible rating.

Coventry was one of only 13 councils, out of 150 assessed, described as poor.

In comparison, Warwickshire County Council's performance was rated as "good", and found to be a "well run council which served local needs".

'Inconsistent services'

The Audit Commission report assessed councils' performance in areas including education, social care, environment and housing.

It found Coventry City Council to be badly run, providing a "very mixed and inconsistent level of services to local people".

Education was described as "relatively strong", but services such as social care and housing benefits, were found to be "poor or failing".

A statement released by the city council disputed some of the findings.

"Coventry has been placed in the poor category but we do not feel this is a fair reflection of our performance overall," it said.

Coventry is not alone in the West Midlands in receiving a critical Audit Commission report - the West Midlands was the only region in the country with not one council rated as excellent.

Services praised

The government has said it will work with all the local authorities rated as poor.

Warwickshire County Council fared well in the report, however.

The Audit Commission found services provided by the Council were "generally sound", although it stated that performance in social care was of a lower standard and needs to improve.

All councils not rated as excellent now have a month to draw up a plan to improve their public services.