SEVEN children's department workers who circulated an email containing a shocking image of a naked child have kept their jobs.

Critics said the staff should have been sacked and accused Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council of a 'weak' response.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said the way it had been handled 'left a bad taste'.

The council has refused to detail the level of sanctions on the staff members, saying it would ‘be a breach of confidentiality under the terms of their employment contract.

However it is understood that the more senior staff involved were given final warnings, while junior members were issued with a warning over their future conduct.

Council chiefs said they believed the action they had taken was ‘appropriate and tough' and had sent out a message that the conduct was not acceptable.

The seven workers were suspended three months ago after the 'joke' e-mail, titled 'Why boys need mothers', was circulated among staff.

It contained 12 pictures of children misbehaving, including one boy swallowing a frog and another climbing into a fridge.

But one 'shocking' image in particular showed an otherwise naked youngster apparently covered in sanitary towels. His private parts were also covered.

Another image shows three young boys urinating, one of them naked.

Viewing the pictures was branded ‘totally inappropriate’ for staff working with vulnerable children.

The investigation treated the matter as a ‘child protection issue'.

It is understood that council bosses were advised that the images were 'inappriopriate' rather than 'indecent'.

As a result the disciplinary proceedures were carried out citing misuse of email.

Opposition Labour leader Kate Hollern said the workers should have been sacked.

Coun Hollern said: “Anyone, especially those working in the children’s services department, should know that these are gravely offensive images and it is disgraceful to send them on.

“I think the council has been very weak in not taking stronger action.”

Mr Straw, Blackburn MP said: "I think the council owes the public a more detailed explanation.

"Sometimes the only approach does not have to be dismissal but people need to know the extent of the punishments.

"I am sure many others feel that the way this has been handled leaves a very bad taste.”

Claude Knights, director of children’s charity Kidscape, said the investigation had uncovered ‘disturbing behaviour’.

Ms Knights said: “These were very serious offences particularly because of the department where these people worked.

"It should have been inconceivable that this could have happened.

"Whatever the outcome of this investigation it needs to be made public because people need to know that the issue has been taken seriously.

“This is material that is not fit to be viewed and you would have hoped that all working in that department would have a level of awareness to understand that.

“It was a very disappointing and worrying episode.”

It is understood the staff worked in children’s centres across the borough.

More than 700 people are employed by the council in children’s services.

Council leader Mike Lee said that the action by the council showed that the workers’ behaviour had been ‘unacceptable’.

Coun Lee said: “This action sends the message out that it is not acceptable and I think this strong disciplinary action shows how seriously it has been taken.

“The incident has been treated as a one-off.”

The investigation was launched in February after a complaint was made by other workers who found the pictures offensive.

Gladys Rhodes, strategic director of children’s services, said: “Seven employees have been disciplined for contravening the council’s email policy.

“This follows a thorough investigation and internal disciplinary hearing.

"The outcome reflects the hard line we are prepared to take on promoting and protecting the welfare of children and their right to dignity and privacy.

The employees are now being supported in their return to work."

According to the council’s 'IT acceptable use policy', staff are banned from 'knowingly transmitting' jokes and chain letters.

The document says: 'Emails must not contain indecent or obscene' material, or anything 'likely to cause offence'.