SENIOR Blackburn with Darwen council executive Andrew Lightfoot is leaving next month, sparking a streamlining of high-paid town hall bosses.

The borough is to scrap one of its 12 £75,000 a year directors as part of its drive to make savings.

Deputy chief executive Mr Lightfoot, one of the driving forces behind the blueprint for reviving Blackburn town centre, is to take up the post of Strategic Director at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority in October.

Resources director Denise Park is promoted to his £120,000 a year job with his role in charge of regenerating the borough being advertised at a salary of £118,000 plus.

Finance director Liz Hall and Information technology boss Mike Zammit are to take redundancy and their two post merged.

The shake-up means that since 2010, the number of borough bosses earning more than £75,000 has reduced from 24 to 11.

Council leader Kate Hollern said: "Andrew has made a huge contribution over the past 12 years."

Borough chief executive Harry Catherall said: “Management costs are always something considered and any review of staffing starts at the top. Since 2010 we have seen management costs at the Council reduce by 50 per cent.”

Tory group leader Mike Lee said: “Andrew was an excellent officer who will be missed. Streamlining top management is a sensible move.”