COUNCIL chiefs have launched an internal inquiry into a councillor who has been working for a restaurant chain without declaring her interest, which must be done by law.

The Daily Echo can reveal that Christchurch portfolio holder for growth and economy Vicki Hallam has been working 'front of house' for the Noisy Lobster restaurant in Ringwood for several weeks, although her register of interests online was only updated on Tuesday last week - after the Echo raised the matter.

The firm also operates from the Avon Beach Café site at Mudeford, which is owned by the council.

The Noisy Lobster had been expected to bid for the Highcliffe Castle tea rooms contract, but boss Peter Hayward told the Echo yesterday he had not submitted one.

A decision is being made by officers this week. The contract is currently to Sean Kearney who runs the Cliffhanger cafe.

The council says it is investigating Cllr Hallam's "Registration of Pecuniary Interests".

Council chief executive David McIntosh said: "We are investigating the matter and cannot comment further at this time."

Mrs Hallam, who was running the Crooked Beam restaurant in Christchurch when it went out of business, has refused to speak to the Echo.

She has declined to return calls or speak to the paper directly at a council meeting last week.

She complained of 'harassment' after being approached for a comment before the meeting started.

As reported last month, Cllr Hallam was one of two Christchurch councillors who received a court summons last year after failing to pay their council tax on time.

During the financial year 2015/16 she owed the taxman £640.68, despite receiving £8,308 a year in allowances from the council.

When approached by the Echo she said the slip-up was "one of those things" and an "oversight", in which "it went to the bottom of the pile".

The other councillor, Andy Barfield, announced this week that he was resigning as portfolio holder for effective council, and considering whether or not to continue in his elected role.

The Echo has submitted questions to the council relating to both members, seeking more information on the circumstances in which they were in arrears, and the properties to which the arrears pertain.

The borough has said it is investigating these questions under the Freedom of Information Act.