The officers are leisure services head Geoff Cooke, Tony Harris from the chief executive's office, and Keith Osborne from operational services.

A statement from the council said the suspensions were intended as a neutral act while an investigation is carried out.

The critical report by the Audit Commission highlighted poor financial and management systems at the authority and called for changes to be made immediately.

A meeting of the full council on Wednesday afternoon will discuss the audit commission report in full.