BURY'S council leader Derek Boden has defended plans to award top town hall bosses pay rises of up to £7,000 a year.

He said the increases were "essential" in attracting the right kind of people for the job.

The pay recommendations, made by a specialist management consultancy firm, will mean a nine per cent rise for 28 senior officers - which could be between £3,000 and £7,000 a year.

The recommendations were accepted by councillors this week.

Although top officers' salaries have not been revealed, it is thought that chief executive Mr Dennis Taylor will see his salary rise to around £75,000 a year. Posts for a new borough finance officer and social service officer have just been filled at almost £50,000 a year.

Cllr Boden said: "What the consultancy firm found was that not only does Bury pay a lot less than private companies for the job they do and the pressure they are under, but they pay a lot less than other local authorities."

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