Mr Hart said the decision was made by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust's Council of Governors and he accepted their offer.

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He said he has been in the post for the last two years and since then has been an integral part in the organisation slashing a deficit in its accounts that almost topped £20m and now stands at a £3m surplus.

Mr Hart, who is a former leader of Hartlepool Borough Council and is also a magistrate in the town, said: "It is a remuneration package that has been offered and I have accepted it.

"Day by day I take considerably more time to work for the trust and the organisations that we also attend, which is over and above the designated three days.

"You can be sure that I'm there five days a week at one point or another. People do work extremely hard and I do the same."

He added: "I can see everyone's point of view, if you get one salary and split it across 4,500 people we employ it could make a real difference. But I think it is a different kettle of fish all together.

The governors decided on it and I have accepted."