LORD Hanningfield’s 41-year career as an Essex county councillor will draw to a close next week.

After his appeal against his conviction for fiddling his expenses failed, county council bosses said the disgraced Tory peer will be booted off the authority on Friday, July 29, unless he launches another legal bid.

They also revealed the former leader of the council has been paid his last allowance as a member, worth £11,500 a year.

Under the county council constitution, anyone sentenced to more than three months in prison is automatically disqualified as a county councillor, triggering a by-election in his Stock seat.

On Wednesday, Lord Hanningfield, who was first elected as a Conservative member of the county council in 1970 and became leader in 2001, failed in his appeal bid.

A county council spokeswoman said: “Essex County Council understands all avenues for Lord Hanningfield to appeal are likely to be exhausted by July 29.

“If this is the case, appropriate action will be taken regarding his membership.”

The spokeswoman added Lord Hanningfield received his last county council allowance on June 23.

Until then, the 70-year-old peer was still receiving his basic allowance, paid from taxpayers’ money.

Mike Mackrory, acting leader of the Lib Dem group at County Hall, said: “My understanding is there’s just a short delay while the necessary legal technicalities are worked out – basically the county council being notified by the courts.

“Then the by-election process will be put in place.

“I see no reason why it can’t take place in the next few weeks.

“Clearly, Lord Hanningfield’s career as a local politician is over.

“A new councillor will represent the Stock division in the very near future.”

Hanningfield, whose real name is Paul White, was jailed for nine months earlier this month.

He was found guilty in May of six counts of false accounting in connection with his House of Lords expenses Hanningfield, however, will remain a Lord as a peerage can only be revoked by an Act of Parliament.