£1m bill to run Chequers

Chequers, the Prime Minister's official country residence, cost taxpayers more than £1 million to maintain in the last financial year.

Chequers is administered by independent trustees who receive an annual grant from public funds towards maintenance and the wages of civilian staff.

The grant for 2005/06 was £900,000 which was spent on revamping staff accommodation, renewing underground pipes, relaying paving and driveways, and repairs to brickwork and fencing.

In 1996/97 the figure was £226,000.

In a Commons written reply, Tony Blair said: "Chequers is a Grade 1 listed building which the trustees have a legal obligation to maintain in good repair."

Taxpayers also paid £148,571 in the same period for military staff at the estate, bringing the total bill to £1,048,571.

Chequers - a Tudor mansion in Buckinghamshire - was bequeathed to the nation in 1917 by Sir Arthur Lee as a country retreat for British prime ministers.

In recent years Mr Blair has been criticised for hosting dinner parties for celebrities there.

Guests have included Bryan Adams, Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, Sir Elton John, David Bowie and daytime TV stars Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.