HEYWOOD councillors claimed almost £120,000 in expenses last year.

The town’s nine elected representatives claimed £117,483 between April 2008 and March 2009 to help pay the cost of representing residents.

Although councillors are unpaid volunteers they can claim a basic £7,644 allowance along with addtional money if they take on extra responsbilities such as chairing meetings.

Rochdale Labour leader and Heywood west representative, Councillor Colin Lambert said: "I am glad that this year the allowances and expesnes are being published in full including what councillors recieve from outside bodies.

"Individual councillors work hard for their constituents and individual constituents can judge whether this is value for money.

"Constituents can now see what each councillor recieved and ensure they earn their allowance."

The highest claim came from Rochdale Council leader, Councillor Alan Taylor who claimed £30,649 as the borough's leader.

Heywood North Councillor Peter Rush said: "At a time when MPs expenses are in the spotlight it’s good to see that the majority of our councillors are not ‘milking the system.’ I know that there will be many members of the public that assume councillors are on vast amounts of money but I think it’s quite clear that we earn an adequate wage for the job we do.

He added: "However what I do object to is the fact that Labour Councillor Colin Lambert receives three separate wages from the public’s purse.

"Cllr Lambert receives £7,644.00 as a Heywood Ward Councillor, £9,985 as Leader of the so-called opposition and a full time wage from our local MP Jim Dobbin who incidentally claimed the most in the entire North West for staff’s wages last year.

"Questions need to be asked about how Cllr Lambert is dividing his working week between his three publicly paid jobs."