Scottish Borders Council has published details of the salaries and expenses councillors have claimed over the last year.

In total, councillors received remuneration to the tune of £747,698, of which £654,740 was spent on salaries.

Each councillor is paid £16,927 a year, but senior councillors, the convener and the leader of the council receive more.

Council leader Shona Haslam receives an annual salary of £33,857, convener David Parker is paid £25,392 and senior councillors holding portfolios, such as for adult social care or culture and sport, take home £22,240.

Area partnership chairs not holding executive positions are paid £18,450 annually.

During the 2017-18 financial year, Borders councillors claimed £92,957 back in expenses.

The majority of expenses claims came from travel costs, with councillors spending £58,744 on travelling throughout the region.

Councillors also spent £28,738 on phone bills, £3,838 on training and conferences and £66 on meals.

Mrs Haslam said: “This report on expenses shows that the new administration has hit the ground running.

“From day one, we have been busy meeting with our constituents and representing their views in council.

“As a council, we are working to reduce the amount that we spend on IT support for councillors and moving new and previous councillors over to new technology that will save the council money. This has brought the overall expenses bill for councillors down this year.

“Our councillors have to travel from Eyemouth to West Linton, so there will always be variations in travel expenses, but these are necessary to ensure that we are doing our jobs effectively.”