SUFFOLK: Communications staff in Suffolk are today in a spin after it emerged that Essex's marketing chief has been drafted in to lead the department.

SUFFOLK: Communications staff in Suffolk are today in a spin after it emerged that Essex's marketing chief has been drafted in to lead the department.

Giles Roca has been asked to help out the spin doctors at Suffolk County Council's Endeavour House because of the continued absence of �83,000 head of communications Caryl Jackson.

As revealed in The Evening Star last week, Ms Jackson has been away from work since Christmas. She had a holiday booked and has since been on sick leave suffering from a virus.

According to a spokeswoman for the county, Ms Jackson is no longer on sick leave but has been given “indefinite leave”.

A statement from the authority said: “Suffolk County Council can confirm that Caryl Jackson, head of communications and marketing, has been granted special leave in order to focus on matters of a personal nature.

“During this time, the head of communications from Essex County Council will be on secondment to cover these duties.

“Secondments of this type happen on a regular basis within local government and are a common way for one council to assist and support another whilst sharing best practice at the same time.”

Mr Roca is head of communications at Essex County Council, but also runs a council-owned PR agency which was set up last year to offer services to other public bodies. Their list of outside clients now includes Suffolk County Council.