A new report into Lincolnshire's education service shows a large increase in the number of pupils being excluded from the county's schools.

Two years ago the county's exclusion rate was in line with the national average, but it has since risen by nearly a third.

The last Ofsted report on the county's education department, published two years ago, was critical on several points.

It noted that while the county was innovative in some areas, it was weak in core areas, notably challenging problem schools and under-achieving grammar schools.

Leadership criticised

The new report, published on Tuesday, says the department has since made significant improvements.

It praises the leadership of the education department's director and senior officers, and the department's desire to develop even further.

But it says more pupils are now being excluded from classes for bad behaviour.

Figures for 2002 showed an increased of 30% over the previous year.

The report also criticises the financial and administrative support offered to schools, the way decisions are made, and the quality of leadership given by councillors responsible for education.