THREE representatives of Canterbury City Council travelled in comfort to the US, with taxpayers picking up the £4,300 bill.

Lord Mayor Cyril Windsor, his wife Leslie and the council’s international manager William Pettit flew British Airways’ World Traveller Class to Bloomington-Normal in Illinois for an official visit.

The trip came shortly after the council announced it was raising its portion of the council tax precept by 4.6 per cent.

Cllr Windsor went to the States to represent the city for the Three Cities Association, which comprises Canterbury, Bloomington-Normal and Vladimir in Russia.

The council said he needed to book World Traveller Class seats because the Lord Mayor has a bad leg.

"These are not the cheapest seats, but it was felt that the Lord Mayor, being the first citizen of the district, and being somewhat frail, deserved to have the 10-hour journey made slightly easier than usual," council spokesman Glynis Alexander said.

"It was particularly important to give him a bit more space as he is still recovering from a shattered ankle following a fall in December.

"As a result he had metal plates inserted in his leg, which has lengthened the healing time, and he is still in pain after his leg was hit by a car a fortnight ago."

The council said that outside the £4,300 for the flights, no other taxpayers’ money was spent.

Mrs Alexander added: "The Lord Mayor, Lady Mayoress and international manager have been on the first official visit in 13 years to our partner town, Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

"Accommodation and meals are being provided by our hosts, and the cost of air fares came from savings in the past year’s budget."