A CHORLEY Borough Council officer remains suspended as investigations continue into a town hall accounts "problem".

The council has maintained throughout that the suspension of one of its officers nearly two weeks ago was "a neutral act" and does not imply blame on anyone's part.

Jack Wilson, leader of the council, said: "The council has noticed a discrepancy within the accounting system.

"We held a special meeting of the cabinet along with the leader of the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats on August 21 in which we listened to the results of interim reports to assess what systems we use and to put in place both immediate and long term measures to prevent such discrepancies happening again.

"The suspension implies no guilt whatsoever and is a standard procedure of local government."

Jeff Davies, chief executive of the council, said the authority was not naming the person, although it is understood the man is a leading officer.

He added that the council had no reason to believe any council cash was missing or had been misappropriated.

He said he would not be making any further comment until investigation was concluded -- no date was given as to when this would be.

The news follows a separate suspension earlier this year of a market official at the council who was sacked following an investigation into financial irregularities.