Three officers from Sussex Police will face disciplinary action over the killing of unarmed James Ashley in 1998.

The Police Complaints Authority made the announcement today.

A superintendent and two detective chief inspectors will face a total of 15 disciplinary charges over the planning of the raid on Mr Ashley's flat in Hastings.

Although not named by the PCA, it is understood the three officers are Superintendent Christopher Burton, 44, Detective Chief Inspector Kevin French, 48, and Detective Chief Inspector Christopher Siggs, 42.

All were all cleared of misconduct charges at a trial in Wolverhampton earlier this year.

Mr Ashley, 39, was naked and unarmed when he was hit by a single bullet fired at close range as police burst into his flat in Western Road, St Leonards, at 4am in January 1998.

The shooting eventually prompted Sussex chief constable Paul Whitehouse to quit his post under pressure from the Home Secretary.

Sussex Police is arranging the disciplinary hearing involving the three officers, a PCA spokesman said.

The charges result from a £1 million investigation by Kent Police which accused the Sussex force of "complete corporate failure" over the operation.

The superintendent faces two charges of neglect of duty.

One of the detective chief inspectors faces three charges of neglect and six charges of falsehood, and the other faces four charges of neglect of duty.

The PCA declined to say which charges applied to Mr French and which to Mr Siggs.

Mr Ashley's mother Eileen said today that disciplinary proceedings against the officers were "too little, too late".

She confirmed the family had begun legal action against Sussex Police, adding: "It's for James's children."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said the force would not comment on today's announcement.

Mr French and Mr Siggs were promoted from the rank of inspector in June this year and given pay rises, backdated to day they were suspended three years earlier.

Mr Ashley's family described the promotions as "disgraceful". His brother Tony has demanded an inquiry into the shooting, a request the Home Office has so far rejected.

Sussex Police said the two new chief inspectors were due for promotion at the time of their suspensions and their advancements had to be put on hold.

It was recently announced that Deputy Chief Constable of Sussex Mark Jordan, suspended over his involvement in the fatal shooting, is to be retired on medical grounds.

Mr Jordan, who authorised the issue of firearms for the ill-fated operation, has been suspended on full £80,000-a-year pay for 20 months.

He will be entitled to a full pension - about £45,000 a year - and all disciplinary proceedings have been dropped.

Mr Jordan has been suspended since February 1999 after a Kent Police inquiry accused him of authorising firearms for the operation without sufficient intelligence information - an allegation he has consistently denied.

Former chief constable Paul Whitehouse was forced to retire by Home Secretary David Blunkett, who demanded restoration of public confidence in Sussex Police.

Marksman PC Chris Sherwood, who shot Ashley, was cleared of unlawful killing at the Old Bailey and PC Robert Shoesmith, 39, was cleared of misconduct after the prosecution offered no evidence.