OFFICIAL tours are being introduced at a town hall by a council criticised for its no expense spared spending.

Middlesbrough Borough Council is to spend a total of £16m on redecorating its Victorian town hall, having already lavished £264,434 on the mayor's parlour, with a further £250,000 earmarked for spending on the members' office.

Guided tours of the council chamber and civic suite will set off at 20-minute intervals on June 13 as part of "an open door" approach to ongoing work at the Grade II star listed building.

The mayor's parlour was overhauled in time for the inauguration of Middlesbrough Mayor Councillor Mrs Patricia Walker, wife of council leader, former bus driver Ken Walker.

The council cabinet only this week agreed to buy a luxury civic car for the mayor - a BMW, Jaguar or a Mercedes.

Visitors will be shown the council chamber, now on a list for a face-lift, the mayor's parlour - the mayoral silver and memorabilia.

Speaking out for the first time since the spending storm broke, Coun Mrs Walker said: "Over the next year I want to do all I can to encourage people to take a pride in Middlesbrough.

"Most people agree that the town hall is our best building in terms of its history and architecture; but I also want it to be the people's building.''

She said: "It is the council's job to open doors - to education, social care, a whole host of services, and this year I would also like to open up the town hall to our citizens. That is why I am inviting people in to have a look round, see some of the history, and hopefully share in the pride I have in my home town."

Museum curator and town hall authority Ian Stubbs will act as guide on the tours, which will run from 11am to 3pm.

Deputy council leader Councillor Sylvia Connolly, said: "We are investing substantial sums in renovating the fabric of the town hall. We are doing that because we have a duty to maintain an historic building properly, but also because it is a landmark building in the town centre, which is the nub of the local economy."