A PAY review has revealed that 96 public sector workers in Kirklees and Calderdale earned more than £100,000 last year.

And 46 of those earning the big salaries are GPs.

The highest earning person is an unnamed official from Calderdale Council on an estimated £212,500.

The remainder of the top three earners are GPs, both on roughly £190,000.

The study of remuneration levels, compiled by the BBC Panorama show in collaboration with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, showed that more than 9,000 public officials earned more than the Prime Minister (£142,500) nationwide.

In Kirklees and Calderdale 22 public servants trumped the PM’s annual pay packet – 14 of whom are doctors.

Many of those on the list are not identified but some are.

The highest named official is Diane Whittingham, chief executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, who earns £182,500.

The bulk of the high earners are from the region’s health providers, including six from the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, 48 from Calderdale PCT, and two from Kirklees PCT.

Kirklees Council has eight executives on more than £100,000 as well as two teachers, while Calderdale Council has 12 in the £100k club along with four teachers.

Former Kirklees Council chief executive Rob Vincent, now working for Doncaster Council, collected almost £155,000.

The University of Huddersfield is listed as having 14 employees on more than £100k.

The 96 does not include emergency services chiefs, who work for the wider West Yorkshire region.

The highest earner uncovered by the investigation was BBC Director General Mark Thompson who earns £838,000.

Cabinet office minister, Francis Maude, said when the survey was released: “You don't need to pay stupendous amounts to get good people.

“That public service ethos is very important. People will come and work in a public sector for salaries that aren't competitive in a private sector sense.”

The exclusive database available on the BBC Panorama website contains total remuneration details (combining base pay, bonuses and extra pay where provided) based on the responses of over 2,400 Freedom of Information requests made to public bodies across the UK between February and September 2010.

The key findings were broadcast on Panorama – Because We’re Worth It: The Taxpayers’ Rich List last Monday.