THE BBC has banned staff from putting champagne claims on expenses, sources have said.

Staff put in claims for £48,000-worth of bubbly last year. A freedom of information request also showed that the BBC spent more than £200,000 on last year's Christmas parties.

It is understood staff have been told they can no longer put in claims for champagne on expenses.

A BBC spokeswoman said: "No company or public organisation is immune from the current financial crisis and like everyone else we face real increases in costs from fuel, utilities and other areas.

"We need to scrutinise everything we do and work hard to release any savings to ensure we are delivering best value to our audiences.

"We have to consider very carefully whether expenditure is appropriate in light of the financial pressures we are facing."