BURY'S two MPs claimed more than £258,000 in expenses last year, saying they need it to do their duty.

The money, which meets office, travel and other overheads, is on top of their salary - a backbench MP is paid around £60,000 - and pensions. The national average for an MP's expenses is around £134,000.

David Chaytor, who represents Bury North, claimed £145,932, an increase from last year's £131,893. This comprised £21,332 for the cost of staying away from home on business, £28,320 in office running costs, £75,761 in staffing allowance, £8,619 in personal travel costs, £2,667 for staff travel, £8,440 of stationery and postage, and £793 for computer equipment.

Mr Chaytor said: "It's not money going into my back pocket, but to pay for legitimate expenses such as running my office, travel and postage costs."

The MP renewed his pledge of last year, saying: "It works out at around £2 per constituent. If anyone thinks I'm not worth it, they can write to me and I will consider giving them their £2 back."

His Bury South counterpart Ivan Lewis claimed £112,785, down from last year's £120,051. This was made up of £21,562 in accommodation expenses, £19,930 in office costs, £61,229 staff payments, £7,278 in travel, and £2,786 of stationery.

Mr Lewis, junior health minister for care, said: "The vast majority of the money goes on enabling me to provide a full-time advocacy and support service to my constituents, the first time it's been done in Bury South. I'm very proud of that, helping local people with problems from benefits to anti-social behaviour, and I will continue to do so.

"There's nothing more important than the work an MP does on a daily basis: it is the bread and butter' of the service that any good MP should provide for their constituents. It's for people to decide whether they think it's good value."