CHESHIRE County Council has spent almost £100,000 sending its councillors and officers on flights in the UK and across the globe since January 2006.

Information provided following a Freedom of Information request shows £96,000 was paid for flights between January 2006 and July of this year, although some of the money would have been recouped.

The data reveals the county has strong links with the European Union’s Brussels headquarters. But there are also flights to Kenya, Massachusetts in the US, Krakow in Poland and Hong Kong.

Members’ air travel abroad has to be authorised by the council’s organisation committee.

County council spokesman Ian Callister said: “Around 70%Šof all legislationŠ affecting local GovernmentŠhas a European implicationŠmaking it essential to be aware of the latest strategic policy, legislation and funding issues which could impact on Cheshire.

“Since 2000 over £51 million of external funding has been attracted into Cheshire via Brussels. For all these reasons both shadow authorities have already agreed to have a shared presence there.”

Mr Callister said the county council did sometimes use air transport within the UKŠbecause “it is frequently much cheaper than rail” or when timing was crucial.

County waste manager Harold Collin and John Thistlewood, strategic manager contract procurement, travelled to Nantucket and Boston in the US. The visit was to assess waste treatmentŠtechnology.

Strategic manager of planning Andrew Farrow and colleagues flew to Hong Kong to advise China’s Hainan Province on regeneration best practice. The trip was made at the requestŠof, and entirely paid for, by the European Commission.