FOUR court clerks have been told they can return to work after an investigation which has cost the taxpayer more than £370,000.

The senior clerks were suspended on full pay for 28 months following a major police inquiry.

Nine months ago, the clerks were cleared of corruption by the police but remained suspended while Merseyside Magistrates' Court Committee (MCC) conducted its own internal disciplinary investigation.

Now, more than two years after their original arrest, the clerks - who were working in courts in Liverpool, Knowsley and Sefton - have been told they have been cleared of gross misconduct and will be allowed to return to their jobs.

Last night, MCC chief executive Malcolm Marsh said he was "saddened" the investigation had taken so long.

He said the full-time investigator whom the MCC had hired to look into the allegations had only received files gathered by the police investigation last November.

He told the Daily Post: "We would not employ anyone who we thought was guilty of a criminal offence and there is no reason at all why the four clerks should not come back to work for us. It has been too long for this to be hanging over them."

He said the investigation had been "extremely expensive" but refused to blame anyone for the delay.

The £40,000-a-year clerks, Peter Kelly, Keith Proudlock, David Greig and Gerry Fenlon, were arrested in November, 2001.

The probe examined the conduct of two district judges and six court clerks and their relationship with prominent Liverpool solicitor Kevin Dooley.

It was alleged that Mr Dooley had received favourable treatment in exchange for gifts and football tickets.

There was no suggestion Mr Dooley tried to influence proceedings in court.

Mr Dooley has since been struck off after an unconnected Law Society investigation.

Action against two judges and two clerks was dropped in May, 2002, and they have returned to work.

Peter Kelly, 47, from Allerton, said last night: "I am following the advice of the chief executive and seeking counselling. This has left me feeling extremely angry.

"This could have and should have happened a long time before."

Keith Proudlock, 50, from Southport, said: "I do not know when I will go back to work. I think it could have been finalised quicker."

Mr Dooley, 61, said: "I have lodged a complaint with the Home Secretary, the police commissioner, Sir John Stevens and the Police Complaints Authority over the way this has been handled."