Suffolk's chief constable Douglas Paxton's £136,000 annual salary has been halved after six months on full pay since falling ill just before Christmas.

Earlier this year the constabulary said Mr Paxton would not be returning for the foreseeable future and as yet no date has still been set for his return.

The decision to halve Mr Paxton's salary was taken by Tim Passmore, the county's police and crime commissioner, following a six-month review of the chief constable's situation in line with police regulations.

The nature of Mr Paxton's illness has not been revealed. He has not been at work since December 16. As of April 1 last year, Mr Paxton's salary was £135,744 per annum.

Mr Passmore said: 'Our chief constable, Douglas Paxton, remains on sick leave.

'He has been absent since December and at this point we do not know how long this will continue.

'To cover Douglas' absence our deputy chief constable Gareth Wilson has been made temporary chief constable and we have also secured a temporary deputy chief constable to cover Gareth's substantive post.

'The absence of any police officer is managed in line with police regulations. Douglas' is subject to the same process and I can confirm that after six months absence, his pay has now been reduced by 50 per cent.'