ALMOST 400 council workers in London earned more than £100,000 last year, an Evening Standard investigation has found.

The number of staff receiving six-figure sums from the taxpayer soared from 279 to 389 in the year to last April - a 40 per cent leap on the year before.

Newham, one of the capital's poorest boroughs, paid 25 executives more than £100,000. Wandsworth council paid 24 employees six-figure salaries, and seven other local authorities paid £100,000 to at least 15 officials.

Every chief executive of the 32 boroughs received more than £100,000, while 11 paid their head official more than £200,000. It comes amid warnings of cuts to council services and large-scale public sector job losses.

Campaigners said the figures were "astounding" and demanded council bosses take a pay cut in sympathy with the growing number of people being made redundant.

But local authority chiefs insisted they need to pay salaries of that level to get quality staff.

A spokeswoman for Newham council said: "The 2012 Games, much of which will take place in our borough, and other major regeneration schemes provide great opportunities. We need top quality officers who can turn that potential into a reality. The council has huge responsibilities Jobs with similar sized tasks in the private sector would be paid much more."

However, Matthew Elliott of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "I think people understand that up to a point you have to offer large sums to attract the right candidate, but not in this number.

"In a time of recession Londoners are struggling to pay their tax bills and heating costs and will be disappointed to see where their money is going. With people in the City losing their jobs I don't think you have to offer this kind of salary any more."

The figures were obtained using the Freedom of Information Act. They include severance pay and redundancy packages.

Hackney had the highest bill for a single member of staff, paying between £310,000 and £320,000 to former chief executive Penny Thompson.

She is thought to have received a basic salary of £164,839 but council accounts show she received more than £310,000 after a severance package and expenses.

Gerald Jones at Wandsworth, who earned up to £250,000.

Ita O'Donovan, the chief executive of Haringey, which was heavily criticised after the death of Baby P in August 2007, received up to £180,000.

Rob Whiteman of Barking and Dagenham, earned £165,000. Mr Whiteman's package is despite £4.5million cuts at Barking and Dagenham, which is going to scrap its regeneration department.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "High-level managers are responsible for multi-million pound budgets in highly complex organisations, and local government is determined to attract the best people.

"Research shows that chief executives in local government are the lowest paid when compared to private and public organisations with comparable turnover and staffing levels."

THE FAT CATS

Penny Thompson, Former chief executive, Hackney, £310,000-£320,000 (includes £160,000 severance package)

The highest bill in London for a single member of staff was paid by Hackney council. Ms Thompson is thought to have received the lump sum when she resigned after two and a half years in the post.

She was credited with stabilising the council, and services under her control were praised for taking fast action when officers found a girl who was being tortured and accused of "witchcraft". Hackney confirmed her basic salary was £160,000 to £169,000 but refused to comment about her pay-off, despite confirmation by a senior source. She left the job last year.

An official spokesman for Hackney said: "The council is not able to disclose details of payments to individuals."

Gerald Jones, chief executive, Wandsworth, £240,000-£250,000 (includes bonuses, basic salary is up to £220,000)

Credited with delivering the country's lowest local tax bills for 20 years. A council spokesman said: "Councils like Wandsworth are a £700 million-a-year business. Chief executives have to manage that business and accept responsibility for a host of performance and service targets. It is important that this is recognised in remuneration packages."

Peter Rogers, chief executive of Westminster until April last year, £230,000-£240,000 (includes bonuses of £70,000-£100,000)

Now the London Development Agency's chief executive. Westminster has the second lowest council tax in the country.

He helped the borough deliver £20 million in efficiency savings and it met the Government's efficiency target one year early.

Derek Myers, chief executive, Kensington and Chelsea, £220,000-£230,000

In the post since 2000. Under him the council has regularly received four stars and ratings of "excellent". He chairs the management board of the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (Solace). Until last year he chaired the London Safeguarding Children Board, which supports child protection agencies.

Identity unknown, Tower Hamlets, £230,000-£240,000, Redundancy and severance entitlement

No information available.

Rob Whiteman, chief executive, Barking and Dagenham, £165,000

Chief executive since January 2005, Mr Whiteman has improved the borough's rating from two to three stars and a fourth is expected in March after recent assessments. Last year the authority won the award for most improved council in the Local Government Awards.

■Additional reporting by Anthony Kimber.

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