THE chairman of a regional jobs quango racked up more than £60,000 in travel expenses last year, including a massive £46,921 for a chauffeur-driven car to take him to and from business meetings and other official events.

The expenses were incurred by Jim Brathwaite, the chairman of the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), who travelled more than 35,000 miles on official business during 2006-2007.

SEEDA is a quango charged with boosting the Kent economy and jobs by attracting inward investment.

The bulk of Mr Brathwaite's travelling expenses, which were paid out of the public purse, stem from his job travelling around the region trying to boost the economy.

In addition to the £51,000 paid for travel in this country, he also claimed more than £8,600 for flights for a clutch of trips abroad to India, Hong Kong, the Far East and Europe to drum up inward investment from international companies.

SEEDA said both Mr Brathwaite, who earns £73,000 a year for his work and chief executive Pam Alexander, whose own expenses for the year came to £22,000, "used the most appropriate transport means available to ensure [working] hours are productive".

It also said the use of a chauffeur-driven car was "essential" in view of the region's poor public transport links.

Ironically, SEEDA's website emphasises how an effective transport system is one of the "fundamental requirements" for the continuing competitiveness of our region.

The revelation of the expenses bill has sparked renewed criticism of the quango's spending.

Nigel Farage, the Euro MP and leader of the Kent-based UK Independence Party, said: "I am not in the least bit surprised as SEEDA is totally out of control and unaccountable."

SEEDA insisted that every effort was made to use public transport where possible. Duncan Straugen, SEEDA executive director, said both Mr Braithwaite and Mrs Alexander worked while travelling.

In many cases "public transport is simply not available or transfers too uncertain for effectiveness".