A LONG-RUNNING investigation into allegations of fraud at Keighley Town Council has now been concluded, police have confirmed.

West Yorkshire Police's Economic Crime Unit detectives interviewed three people under caution as part of a probe which started in December.

Police said this week that a decision on how to proceed had yet to be taken.

Ramona Senior, head of the Economic Crime Unit at West Yorkshire Police, said: "The investigation has now been completed and a report is currently being prepared.

"This will then be reviewed, before a decision is made on how to proceed."

The police investigation was prompted by Keighley Conservative MP Kris Hopkins who urged the Force to step in following the publication last year of a damning external audit report into the council which highlighted a catalogue of weaknesses and poor governance relating to the 2012/13 accounts.

The audit highlighted questionable spending in 2012 including overpayments to a contractor who was paid despite not meeting commission targets, the purchase by the Council of two horses, both later sold at a loss, and the purchase of Christmas lights for £3,000 without proper authorisation.