Devon's 62 county councillors were paid £1,001,575 in allowances last year, £97,000 less than two years ago according to the authority.

Most members received a basic allowance of £10,970.04, a rate frozen when the Conservatives took control last year.

Those with additional responsibilities were paid anything up to £24,999.96 in the case of the leader, Cllr John Hart.

Both he and deputy leader Cllr John Clatworthy (Dawlish) agreed to revert to the 2005 rates for their basic and special allowances.

Mileage and subsistence expenses were also met with some individuals claiming up to £6,345 although total payments were said to have dropped by more than £30,000.

Among Teignbridge members Cllr Stuart Barker, who represents Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, received the largest amount with £31,836.66.

Cllr Clatworthy was awarded £31,155.40, Newton Abbot South member Cllr Gordon Hook £20,021.

Other payments were: Cllr Jerry Brook (Chudleigh Rural) £13,869.23, Cllr George Gribble (Bovey Tracey Rural) £11,889.93, Cllr Ann Fry (Newton Abbot North) £11,878.30, Cllr Dennis Smith (Teignbridge South) £11,689.99, Cllr Mike Walters (Kingsteignton), £11,429.22, Cllr Chris Clarance (Teign Estuary) £11,239.35 and Cllr James McMurray (Teignmouth) £11,198.15, Cllr Alan Connett (Exminster and Kenton) £10,970.04.

Cllr Hart said: 'This reduction of almost £100,000 has been achieved by cutting out such things as unnecessary special allowances.

'Since then we have cut costs where we can, frozen most job recruitment and reduced bureaucracy and red tape.'