A LOCAL MP borrowed money against her second home for which she claims more than £20,000 a year in parliamentary expenses, it has been revealed.

Janet Anderson, whose Rossendale and Darwen constituency includes Turton and Edgworth, said the second mortgage, taken out in 2005, was a personal loan that would not cost taxpayers a penny.

She said: “This is a personal loan which I pay for myself. There is no question on the payment. It’s a personal cost to me.”

Asked whether she thought taking out a loan on the property was acceptable, she said: “That’s for people to judge. I have done it at no cost to the public purse. I do not know whether other people do it — I suspect they do.”

But Cllr John Walsh, leader of Bolton’s Conservative group, said: “A lot of people are getting by on a few pounds and it is not right that MPs are playing the system and taking home thousands of pounds.”

Since 2001, Mrs Anderson has claimed almost £139,000 to maintain the end terraced house in Darwen, which she has designated as her second home.

Under parliamentary rules, MPs are allowed to claim for mortgage interest as well as utilities bills, furnishings and food.