Millions spent on publicity

Nearly pounds2 million was spent by Aberdeen City Council onpublicising itself last year.

The bill for websites, press officers, communications staff andadvertising for new staff came to pounds1.9 million - a rise of256.8% over the last 10 years.

The equivalent figure for Aberdeenshire was pounds1.6 million -a huge jump of 455.4% in a decade.

Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Tax Payers' Alliance,which collected the figures, said: "With the internet cutting thecost of communication, it should not be difficult for localauthorities to find savings."

A spokesman for the Convention of Scottish Local Authoritiessaid: "Much of the publicity is about keeping communities informed."