RAYLEIGH MP Mark Francois paid the town’s Conservative association £24,000 over four years from his expenses account.

He also claimed £2,937 for website design and support in 2007/08, and paid an accountant £613 for tax advice on matters relating to his job as an MP.

He repaid £65 after the Fees Office overpaid him in 2004.

The majority of incidental expenses charged by Mr Francois concerned stationery and office equipment.

He said: “I have made payments to my local association of £1,500 a quarter to provide secretarial services and accommodation where my surgery could take place.

“This included helping to process Parliamentary correspondence, and dealing with members of the public who ask to meet their MP.”