A EYE-WATERING expense bill has highlighted the cost of train travel for Cumbrians wanting to get to the capital.

Simon Fell claimed the fourth highest amount for first class tickets of all MPs, according to recently released data.

The Furness Conservative MP made 62 claims for first class tickets totalling £6,389 between March 2020 and March 2021.

The figures are drawn from analysis of official data released by The Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

The MP, who was elected in 2019, said buying first class train tickets were often cheaper than open standard fares and allowed him privacy to deal with sensitive work while travelling.

Other MPs may also claim for other forms of transport.

Damien Moore, the Conservative MP for Southport, claimed the highest for first class travel, making 74 claims totalling £9,382.

Sam Standish said: "Says more about the cost of train tickets to be fair."

Gary Harvey said: "Excuse me, he is entitled to travel.

"If he never came back from London, everyone would complain - so he travels.

"Is he the only MP claiming expenses? I think not."

Kerry Griffin said: "Train travel is expensive between Barrow and London - and even more so first class."

Richard Lecky-Thompson said: "If he has used advance fares for First Class, it doesn't seem unreasonable. All the other expenses are probably to do with running his constituency office, and he has to do that to be able to assist people."

According to IPSA, the claims MPs made for first class travel in the 12 months to March 2021 totalled to £208,500.

Under expenses rules set by the regulator, the amount an MP can claim for train travel is capped at the price of an ‘anytime standard open’ ticket for the same journey at the point they submit their claim.

Anytime tickets allow travel on any service rather than at a specific time and are usually much more expensive than advance tickets for specific trains.