Britain's most expensive peer, Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate, who claimed £60,013 in allowances, said last night: "I'm worth it."

The former senior police officer in County Durham said he attended the House of Lords on every one of the 152 days it sat during the financial year 2004/5.

And he said he feared the daily allowances - which can be claimed only when the upper chamber is in session - did not cover the cost of keeping a flat in London.

Peers can claim £150 for each overnight stay, £75 for food and travel each working day, as well as up to £12,776 for office costs.

But Lord Mackenzie, who was made a peer in 1998, said: "Unlike MPs - and unlike members of the upper chamber in most countries - we don't get paid.

"I make sure I really am a working peer, by going down to London every Monday and not coming back until Friday, so I can vote and speak in debates.

"By the time I have met the cost of keeping an apartment, as well as the cost of subsisting in London, I certainly don't make a profit."

The figures, released by the House of Lords authorities, revealed the second costliest North-East or North Yorkshire peer was former Jarrow MP Lord Dixon, who claimed £45,747.

Then came former union leader and Hartlepool United president Lord Burlison (£44,042) and Baroness Harris of Richmond, former leader of North Yorkshire County Council, (£41,996).

Next costliest were former Tory cabinet minister Lord Jopling, who lives in Thirsk, (£39,160) and Darlington-born former Labour general secretary Lord Sawyer (£37,325).

However, none of the other 11 North-East and North Yorkshire peers attended on the full 152 days. The next highest was Lord Dixon (£122). Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher claimed only £28 for attending on 34 days, while ex-Labour leader Lord Kinnock pocketed only £41 for three days' work.