THREE East Lancashire peers cost taxpayers a total of £131,410 in expenses last year, it has been revealed.

Allowances for members of the House of Lords have been released amid claims for a reform of the way they are paid.

The figures for 2008/09 show Lord Taylor of Blackburn claimed the highest amount, with a total of £58,001.

The former leader of Blackburn with Darwen council, who was later suspended from the Lords following an undercover cash sting, was paid £27,347 in overnight subsistence and £11,733 in day subsistence.

He was also paid £13,172 for office costs, £5,654 for travel, and £95 for postage.

Under current rules, Lords are not paid a salary but are comp-ensated each time they attend the House, with members whose main residence is outside Lond-on paid an overnight allowance.

Lord Taylor was one of the most regular attendees in 2008/09, turning up 143 days out of the total 147.

He was suspended in May this year until last month’s state opening of Parliament after an investigation found he had offered to influence legislation in exchange for cash.

The most expensive peer, Ulster politician Lord Laird, claimed almost £74,000.

Lord Patel of Blackburn received £43,962, having attended 131 days.

He designated his main residence as Lancashire so claimed the full overnight allowance.

Baroness Massey of Darwen, who now lives in Sussex, claimed £55,604.

And Lord Greaves, also a Pendle councillor, claimed £31,844.

He said a proposed new allowances system, to be debated next week, was “shoddy”, and would make it harder for Lords living outside London.

He added: “I can spend all week working at home on Lords business and not be paid a penny.”

Lord Greaves, who commutes between Colne and Westminster most weeks, said it would be fairer for peers to be paid a salary.