Bedfordshire County Council's outgoing chief executive has seen her big-money move to Suffolk confirmed.

Andrea Hill will take up the same position at Suffolk County Council following a vote by the councillors on that authority on Wednesday afternoon.

But the size of her £220,000-a-year salary attracted extensive comment.

Labour group leader Coun Sandy Martin said: "I cannot see the justification for a £70,000 increase in the salary of the new chief executive at a time when the county council is making cuts to services which have a serious impact on the lives of the citizens of our county.

"It is outrageous that, for instance, the Crabbe Street day-care services for elderly people with dementia are being curtailed when an additional £70,000 per year would safeguard them for the future."

But council leader Coun Jeremy Pembroke said after the meeting: "I'm delighted that the council has approved the appointment of Andrea Hill.

"She has a first class record in local government and will be vital to driving through the improvements to Suffolk's infrastructure that will bring top quality services to the people of Suffolk."