Kingston Council has begun an investigation into its finances after its records showed it had paid a small maintenance company more than £4m in the past five years.

Bosses at Teasdale Group – based in Tolworth – are bemused by the figures.

In a Freedom of Information (FoI) request submitted by a member of the public, Kingston Council said it has spent £4.1m between 2008-09 and 2012-13 even though it has a contract worth only £50,000 a year.

In 2008-09 alone, the data claimed Teasdale was paid £2.4m for jobs such as out of hours emergency works and installing road panels.

Teasdale director Andy Potter said the news was “a complete curve ball”.

Mr Potter said: “My turnover in any one year has never been anywhere near £2.4m and that is across the whole company, not just one contractor. That figure cannot be correct.

“I have had no contact from Kingston Council on this matter. This is the first I have heard of it.

“We are a local company employing local people and we offer a good service. But I know for a fact that is incorrect. We just have not done that much work.”

There were 21 invoices for £6,078 for a job carried out on April 14, 2008 – which adds up to more than £127,000.

Mr Potter said that Teasdale’s own accounts feature a single payment of £6,078 for that day.

A Kingston Council spokesman said: “We are looking into this case and will act to ensure that any necessary action is taken.”