Borough taxpayers forked out more than half a million pounds for local councillors' allowances last year - a rise of £50,000 from the previous year.

All 72 councillors receive a basic allowance, and if they sit on committees or take on extra responsibility, they can earn even more.

In total councillors claimed £692,507.20 during the period April 1, 2005 to March 31, 2006.

The top earner was council leader David Caunt, who claimed £25,922.63, which included his basic allowance of £7,206.48, a responsibility allowance of £18,531 and travel and subsistence at £185.15.

Cradley's Labour councillors Richard Body, Tim Crumpton and Gaye Partridge claimed a basic allowance of £7,206.48.

Halesowen North Conservative councillor James Boys also claimed the basic allowance, while his ward colleague Leslie Faulkner claimed £8,236.07, with Karen Shakespeare earning £12,354.01 - made up of the basic allowance and £5,147.53 for reponsibilities.

Halesowen South councillor Alan Taylor claimed £11,054.79, while his colleagues John Woodall claimed £10,898.33 and Harold Jackson banked £11,839.32.

Belle Vale's conservative councillors Jennifer Dunn took £9902.74, Bob James earned £11,195.89, and Jill Nicholls took £8,235.98. In Hayley Green and Cradley South cllr Ken Turner earned £10,295.04, Hazel Turner banked £8,236.07, and Ray Burston earned £10,809.85.

A Dudley Council spokesman said: "Each financial year the allowances are increased in accordance with the agreed pay awards for National Joint Council local government services."