The results of an investigation into if county councillors made expenses claims they were not entitled to is expected to be published within weeks.

A report by the county council’s auditors into the allegations is on-going and, according to the Audit Commission, is expected to be fully concluded next month.

It centred on a complaint made by a member of the public about certain claims made by senior county councillors, alleging they were unlawful.

The complaints stemmed partly from claims made in relation to the use of chauffeur-driven cars and taxis and the suggestion there had been duplicate claims.

District auditor Darren Wells told members last year he was following up a formal objection to the authority’s annual statement of accounts and considering if it was necessary to issue what is known as a public interest report.

The complaint has meant that KCC’s accounts for the year have not been fully certified, although in his annual letter Mr Wells said the sums involved "are not material to the financial statements for 2010-2011" and have not prevented him issuing an opinion.

Auditors are required to issue public interest reports where they receive complaints about an authority’s accounts.

Expenses claims made by KCC’s 89 members in 2010-11 totalled £1.85m of which most was for allowances. Some £121,117 was paid out in mileage claims.