9:06am Wednesday 1st August 2007
By Dom Bowers
A councillor is "appalled" he had to pay £40 for a VIP ticket to an air show organised by his own council.
Tory Stephen Mayzes is also angry only 40 places are available to 60 councillors who sit on Tendring Council.
The VIP area for the Clacton Air Show, near the West Greensward, includes private toilets, a viewing platform and a marquee with afternoon tea and a buffet.
The normal ticket price is £58.75, but members are offered a discounted rate of £40. It would cost Tendring Council £2,400 to provide free tickets for all 60 members.
But Mr Mayzes, who represents the town's Rush Green ward, said all councillors should be admitted for free.
Tory Mr Mayzes said: "It is ridiculous to ask councillors to pay to go to a council-run event.
"I will be more than happy watching it for free with members of the public."
Nigel Brown, Tendring Council's communications manager, said the number of tickets is restricted to 20 each day because of the space available.
He said the charge has been in place ever since councillors were first formally invited about 12 years ago, and no members have complained to the press before.
The air show on August 23 and 24 is expected to attract in the region of 90,000 spectators.
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