BURY'S two MPs claimed nearly a quarter of a million pounds in expenses last year, according to new figures.

Labour backbencher David Chaytor came in the top quarter of the allowances league, receiving £128,053 in 2003/04 - about £10,000 more than the national average - putting him in 151st place out of 659 MPs.

But the Bury North MP says he will seriously consider giving residents a rebate if they feel he is not providing value for money.

Mr Chaytor's total comprised housing allowance (£20,333), office costs (£18,799), staff costs (£71,773), his own travel expenses (£9,853), staff travel (£937), stationery and postage (£4,392), IT and other costs (£1,966).

The MP said he believed in freedom of information, and was "delighted" that the figures had been published.

"It shines light on some areas previously in darkness, and is the most effective means of reducing and avoiding any kind of abuse," he said.

"It's inevitable that there will be criticisms. I'm glad I'm not the most expensive in Britain - but it's not for the editors of tabloid newspapers to decide if they are getting value for money; it's their electorate."

Mr Chaytor said the sums were not an "expense account" but the cost of running a staffed office.

"No one would think that a head teacher was benefiting personally by employing a caretaker," he said.

He pointed out that there were about 100,000 people in his constituency, meaning his costs translated to £1.28 per head.

"If anyone feels very strongly about this and feels I am not working hard as an MP, if they want to write to me demanding a refund of their £1.28, I might be tempted to consider it," he said.

"But next year's General Election is when people can really have their say."

He hoped that publication of such figures would ultimately be extended to other top officials in the public sector and even to managing directors of the country's largest companies.

Mr Chaytor's Bury South counterpart, Ivan Lewis, was much lower down the league.

The Labour education minister received £117,517 in allowances, putting him in 363rd place.

These comprised housing allowance (£21,907), office costs (£18,774), staff costs (£63,754), personal travel expenses (£7,193), staff travel (£1,467), stationery and postage (£2,443), IT and other costs (£1,979).