A senior official at Essex County Fire and Rescue has been suspended, it has been revealed.

Ruth Clyndes, head of human resources at the fire service's Brentwood headquarters, is awaiting a disciplinary hearing.

Police investigated allegations over improper payments to staff but decided they were not a criminal matter.

Ms Clyndes is currently awaiting a disciplinary hearing to determine whether she will keep her job.

David Johnson chief fire officer, said in a statement today: "The matter is now subject to a disciplinary investigation and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."

During the investigation, assistant chief fire officer Andy Fry was also suspended, but he was cleared of any wrongdoing in January.