A TORY MP has defended expense claims she made for £5,000 for gardening work at her home in North Yorkshire.

Anne McIntosh, the Vale of York MP, made the claims between 2004-8 for hedge trimming, lawn mowing and border work at her constituency home in Thirsk.

Figures revealed by the Daily Telegraph said Miss McIntosh also claimed for mouse poison and two mousetraps for her rented home.

It said she also failed to provide proof of the £621-a-month rent on her home she claimed.

Miss McIntosh, who was elected to Westminster in 1997, says she did nothing wrong. “I am one of the lowest claimers.

All I claim for is purely to perform as an MP and parliamentarian,”

she said.

“The circumstances have changed for what you can claim for and David Cameron has taken a very firm lead on expenses.

“The public are very angry about this as they believe it borders on the criminal. The priority now is to make our allowances more transparent.”

She said she had shown evidence for rental claims when asked to by Westminster.

Miss McIntosh said the Conservatives had published expenses online since last year.

Due to electoral changes, she will contest the new Thirsk and Malton seat at the next General Election.