SUFFOLK county council's highly paid head of communications has left his post with immediate effect.Francis Thomas, head of communications and marketing, has left his post after three and a half years/.

SUFFOLK county council's highly paid head of communications has left his post with immediate effect.

Francis Thomas, head of communications and marketing, has left his post after three and a half years/.

In a terse statement, the council said this afternoon: “Suffolk County Council's Head of Communications and Marketing, Francis Thomas has decided to leave the county council.

“By mutual agreement his departure will take immediate effect.

“We would like to thank Francis for the work he has done since joining SCC. He will be replaced in the short-term with an interim manager, and recruitment for a permanent replacement will start as soon as possible.”

Mr Thomas, who lives in Woodbridge, is believed to have been on a salary of £81,000. He joined the authority in 2004 from the public relations department of Boots the Chemist Ltd in Nottingham.

The county council is facing abolition in two years under Government plans to introduce unitary authorities in Suffolk.