The ENO was bailed out with a �4.2m grant

The troubled English National Opera (ENO) company has denied reports that its acting executive director has been sacked.

Caroline Felton was brought in as a financial troubleshooter nine months ago to help the company secure long-term funding from the Arts Council England.

ENO has been hit with strike action and threats of a walkout by backstage staff in the last few months as it attempts to stabilise its finances.

A spokeswoman for ENO denied reports in Monday's Times newspaper that Ms Felton had been sacked, saying she had been given a new advisory role.

"Caroline Felton has been on a monthly contract and remains on a monthly contract," she told BBC News Online.

"She will be still be working in a part-time capacity, probably until the end of the season."

The company is undergoing a radical shake-up as it attempts to sort out finances after several emergency grants kept it afloat.

Strike vote

Union representatives for backstage staff and management at ENO have agreed to enter into talks to try and avoid a strike.

About 200 staff, including technicians, wardrobe, lighting and box office staff, voted for the strike action over management plans to cut jobs.

In February, 60 choristers staged a walk-out in protest at plans to axe 20 of them.

An agreement was reached after the first strike to cut the number by 10, which would be achieved through voluntary redundancy.