THE body which controls MPs' expenses is being urged to look at its rules to stop members claiming for civic events such as Remembrance Sunday.

That is the view of a campaign group and Labour source after it emerged Warrington North MP Helen Jones has claimed around £35 in the past five years.

Many MPs in neighbouring authorities have not made similar claims.

Data published by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority (IPSA) showed Mrs Jones' claims between 2011 and 2015.

The first claim in 2011 totalled £7.29 – it covered the constituency journey from the Labour MP's home to the service at the Cenotaph, on Bridge Foot, and back.

It was followed by £7.02 a year later, £7.20 in 2013, £6.70 in 2014 and £6.71 in 2015, taking the total to £34.92.

Mileage was only displayed for the 2013 trip – it confirmed the journey was 16 miles.

The claims for cash, which are all legal, are displayed on IPSA's website for voters to view.

Critics say there are certain special public occasions that should be attended by MPs as a 'moral duty' and expense claims for such journeys strike the 'wrong note'.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, which campaigns for lower taxes, Government transparency and 'an end to wasteful Government spending', was critical of the Remembrance Day expenses claimed.

He said: "This will certainly raise eyebrows and taxpayers will be deeply disappointed.

"The fact that IPSA approved the claim shows how crushingly out of touch this overgrown monster of a quango is."

A spokesman for Mrs Jones said: "All Helen's claims are perfectly proper and within the guidance set down by IPSA.

"She only makes claims resulting from engagements she attends in the course of her parliamentary duties.

"Like the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor (who is chauffeured to the event) she attends the Remembrance Sunday ceremony in an official capacity as a Member of Parliament."

But the five claims have been condemned by a senior Labour source in the town, who wished to remain anonymous.

The source said: "This is morally indefensible and deeply insulting to the memory to those who served their country so selflessly.

"What kind of person thinks 'I must claim petrol money from the taxpayer for my eight-mile drive to the Cenotaph?'

"Most MPs of all parties have the decency not to make these claims but if MPs like Helen Jones lack the moral compass to do the right thing, IPSA should consider banning them."

IPSA says it has no plans to change the rules.

A spokesman said: "MPs are entitled to claim for travel costs which are incurred for journeys taken when carrying out parliamentary duties, in this case attending a Remembrance Day service."

IPSA's data shows Warrington South's Conservative MP David Mowat, Leigh's Labour MP Andy Burnham, Tatton's Tory MP George Osborne and Halton's Labour MP Derek Twigg have made no claims for travelling to and from Remembrance Day services since 2010.

Conservative Prime Minister and Maidenhead MP Theresa May, Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and UKIP's Clacton MP Douglas Carswell have also not made any.