THE District Auditor is to look into massive pay increases handed to senior officers at East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

But no special investigation will be launched to look into the affair, the Evening Press has learned.

That move had been demanded by Pocklington town councillor George McManus, who expressed a number of concerns about the pay rises. In February, it was revealed that East Riding of Yorkshire Council chief executive Darryl Stephenson received a 34.5 per cent pay rise, taking his salary from £104,000 to £140,000.

Other senior officers also benefited from enhanced pay packets, implemented only a week after council chiefs imposed service cuts and council tax hikes on its residents.

The rises, advocated in an independent report by consultants PriceWaterhouseCoopers were branded "obscene" at a meeting of East Riding of Yorkshire councillors later that month.

Angry residents are planning their own protests to show their feelings.

Coun McManus voiced concerns over the speed of the decision, whether councillors were aware of what was happening and the availability of information about the decision. Making an official complaint, Coun McManus said the reputation of democracy in East Riding demanded an investigation.

Today he said he was "disappointed, but not surprised" by the District Auditor's decision. "I am disappointed. The outcry has been such that I would have thought the issue would have been investigated as a priority. But I am not surprised by it. I had followed correct procedure and made an official complaint to East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the District Auditor."

A District Audit spokeswoman said: "This issue will be considered as part of a routine audit. The auditor has indicated that he will not be launching a special investigation."

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, March 20, 2002