FROM Douglas Hogg’s moat dredging to Sir Peter Viggers’ duck island, the list of items claimed on expenses by MPs seemed as though it could not get any more extraordinary.

But yesterday, the revelation that Frank Cook tried to claim back a £5 donation made at a church service to commemorate the Battle of Britain pushed the expenses scandal firmly back into the headlines.

Mr Cook has apologised, and said the claim, which was refused by the Fees Office, was a mistake, but the issue was still a hot topic on the streets of his Stockton constituency.

People enjoying the sunshine, and those having a look round the shops, all wanted to have their say on the erroneous claim – and the ongoing expenses debate.

And despite Mr Cook’s apology, few were in forgiving mood.

Postal worker Paul Busby said: “Politicians seem as though they are out for whatever they can get, but putting in a claim for a church donation is an absolute disgrace.

“If I did this at work I would be sacked.”

His wife, Lynn, said: “It might not have been for that much money, but it won’t make the average member of the public feel any better about his behaviour.”

Andy McCall, who runs Georgia Brown’s pub, in Stockton, said the expenses scandal was a favourite issue for debate by his customers.

“People think the MPs are in the job to take out as much money as they can,” he said.

“This was a particularly terrible thing to be putting an expenses claim in for – he should be ashamed of himself.

“People in the bar are all talking about the expenses scandal and this is just making MPs look even worse.”

Neil Sotheran said: “It’s an absolute disgrace. They should be helping people not making money out of their job. I work for a living and can’t put in claims for living costs, so why should they think it is acceptable to do so?”

However, some people were less concerned about Mr Cook’s £5 claim.

Susan Bell, of Stockton, said: “To be honest, it’s not the worst thing in the world to have happened, if it was a genuine mistake. But it doesn’t look good for him, especially as it was for a church donation.”

Gordon Compton, of Norton, Stockton, said: “I don’t really care – there are worse things going on in the world.”

Sandie Briggs, also of Norton, said: “I can’t see what all the fuss is about. It’s only £5 and other people are claiming for thousands. At least he has apologised for his mistake.”