A COUNCIL last night defended plans to buy a luxury limousine for its mayor.

Only a BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes Benz will do for Middlesbrough's first citizen - Councillor Pat Walker, who was installed as mayor this week.

Middlesbrough Borough Council has spent £264,434 on a make-over of the mayor's parlour and its immediate surroundings.

Next week's meeting of the council's cabinet will be asked to confirm the cost.

It will also be asked to instruct officers to open negotiations with local dealers of BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes.

The existing civic vehicle is a three-year-old Ford Scorpio.

A council spokesman said: "Traditionally, the civic vehicle has always been a 'stretched' car, and that is what we are going back to. The costs of the replacement will be broadly similar to the existing vehicle."

Councillor Tom Mawston, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group on the council, said: "Any council expenditure that does not go directly to public services must be looked at carefully.''

Tory group leader, Councillor Gwen Popple said: "We will have to look at this one.''

The cabinet will discuss a £250,000 revamp of the members' office area.

A council spokesman said the town hall was a landmark building, adding: "The restor-ation and refurbishment will result in a building which everyone in Middlesbrough can take pride in, and which will make a significant contribution to the development of a quality town centre."