Figures released this week reveal that although none of the four AMs responsible for the areas of Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire and Mid and West Wales claimed the full £12,500 allowed for expenses occured while away from their first home, they all claimed over £9,000 of taxpayers' money – with Tory leader Nick Bourne only £100 off the maximum mark.

AMs living outside the immediate Cardiff area are allowed to claim expenses for a second home in the Cardiff area, such as mortgage interest and rental payments, so that they can perform their duties as a member. This allowance can also be used to furnish the second home.

Nick Bourne, AM for Mid and West Wales, claimed £12,399.44 which included £1,430 for essential work on his bathroom, £1,048 for a replacement television and £586.73 on white goods. Mick Bates, AM for Montgomeryshire, claimed £11,498.98; Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, claimed £11,019.24; and Nerys Evans, AM for Mid and West Wales, bringing up the rear claimed £9,884.28 but £3,003.70 of this was spent on meals.

Overall more than £400,000 was paid out to AMs and former AMs during the 2007/2008 financial year which ended in March. Eight AMs claimed the full £12,500, while 15 members made no claim at all.

Nick Bourne AM refused to comment as to why his expense claim was higher than the other AMs in the area.

Corin Taylor, of the TaxPayers' Alliance said: "It's good news for taxpayers that these full expense details are being published for the first time. Now every taxpayer in Wales can hold their individual assembly members to account for excessive expense claims.

"In these difficult times where ordinary families are struggling to make ends meet it seems unfair that politicians are putting expensive televisions and other items on expenses.

"They already have a very high salary and have just had an 8.3 per cent pay rise, while they are preaching pay restraints for the rest of us."