The e-mail gave technical advice on how to influence the vote

Paul Masterman, head of communications at Shropshire County Council, wrote to colleagues advising how they could vote more than once on the online poll.

The poll on the BBC Shropshire Where I Live site, asking if people were for or against a merger of local authorities in the county, has since been closed.

The county council said he has been taken off duties while it investigates.

A statement said the inquiry would be "full and thorough".

Technical advice

"In accordance with the county council's personnel procedures, Mr Paul Masterman will not be undertaking his duties as Head of Communications, while the investigation is carried out.

"The county council will not issue any further comment on the matter until the investigation has been completed."

In his e-mail, which was leaked to the BBC on Monday, Mr Masterman said: "We need to ensure that those keen on voting yes, do so."

It went on to give technical advice on how to get around a block which normally stops people being able to vote more than once in the poll. He later apologised for sending the e-mail.

His advice was forwarded to staff across the county council, which is in favour of a merger between itself and the five other borough and district councils in the county.

When the poll was closed on Monday morning, with thousands of votes already registered, 36% were in favour of the merger with 64% against it.