East Sussex county councillors claimed more than £400,000 in allowances and expenses last year, a 15 per cent rise on the year before.

The 45 members of the council claimed £404,047 for the 2000-2001 financial year compared with £349,059 the year before.

Councillors are not paid for carrying out their duties but can claim allowances and expenses.

East Sussex councillors say the figures, which include basic allowances, mileage and expenses, are justified because the work is like a full-time job.

Former council leader David Rogers topped the list of payments, claiming £16,524.

He was followed by Councillor Kathryn Field, lead Cabinet member for transport and environment, who was paid £14, 418, and Councillor Keith Bridger, who was paid £12,571.

Liberal Democrat opposition leader Coun Rogers was paid a basic allowance of £6,195 and special responsibility payments of £10,329.

Coun Field received a basic allowance of £6,195, special responsibility payments of £5,166 and £2,868 in mileage.

Labour group leader Coun Bridger's £6,195 basic allowance was topped up with a £5,166 special responsibility payment and more than £1,200 in mileage.

Former Cabinet councillor Mike Skinner, who represented Uckfield, said he could have earned up to £350 a day compared with the £250 he was paid as a councillor.

He said: "One thing the list cannot measure is the pressure. I would be working full time, five days a week, attending meetings at County Hall followed by responding to up to 20 emails a day.

"I would say the pressure is greater than that of a backbench MP. I feel ten years younger since losing my seat."

County councillors in West Sussex claimed more than £534,000 last year, 30 per cent more than the year before.

In Brighton and Hove, councillors claimed more than £780,000, almost 40 per cent than the year before.