THE top public sector earners in Comet Country have been revealed just weeks before dramatic spending cuts are announced.

Figures show that NHS Hertfordshire has the largest number of GPs in the country earning over �100,000 per year, at 427, with 68 waged higher than Prime Minister David Cameron and six who earn over �200,000.

The highest paid is a male GP on �274,999.

A spokesman for NHS Hertfordshire said: “Hertfordshire GPs are on the same contract as other GPs in the country, based on registered patient numbers. Also in line with elsewhere, they are able to earn additional income for their practices.”

The investigation has also revealed that Hertfordshire County Council has 16 employees earning over �100,000 a year and five of these earn more than the Prime Minister who is on �142,500.

The chief executive of the council Caroline Tapster is among those earning more than David Cameron on �209,284.

A spokesman for the council said: “The salary paid for this position reflects the responsibilities within the post and is in line with other organisations of a similar size.”

The lower levels of local government in Hertfordshire are also highly paid with the chief executive of North Hertfordshire District Council, John Campbell, receiving a salary of �125,085 in 2008-09.

The predecessor of Nick Parry, chief executive of Stevenage Borough Council, was paid �119,832 in the same period.

Mr Parry was appointed as interim chief executive and Head of paid service at the borough council from April 25 2009 on a salary of �106,728.

Stephen McPartland, MP for Stevenage, said: “I am shocked by the figures that have been uncovered, and I know many local residents would consider these sums to be completely unreasonable.

“I imagine the staff of many of these organisations will be horrified to learn of the huge gap between their salaries and these huge sums that are paid to senior members of those organisations.

“I can already hear the excuses, but this is taxpayers’ money and every penny spent is a penny we have all paid in tax.”

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police’s chief constables wages have also come to light.

Frank Whiteley, Chief Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary earns �158,759 a year and his Bedfordshire Police equivalent, Gillian Parker, is waged at �148,243 making her the fifth highest paid female officer in the UK.

The chief fire officer at Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Roy Wilsher, earned �142,533 in 2008-09 making him the 16th best paid fireman in the country.

Paul Fuller, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue services, is paid �139,000 per year.

Emma Boon, spokesman for the Taxpayers Alliance, said: “It is becoming increasingly clear that remuneration for senior staff has got out of hand and there needs to be restraint in order to get the country through a fiscal crisis without imposing an even greater burden on hard working taxpayers.”

The data was collected by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism for a report by the BBC’s Panorama programme.