EXPENSES claimed by a Hampshire MP for gardening which totalled more than £30,000 would be enough to buy a home to house a family in his constituency, it emerged today.

Conservative MP for Gosport Sir Peter Viggers, 71, has been criticised for claiming the money, which reportedly included £1,645 for a floating ''duck island'' for his pond.

Liberal Democrats from the town have called for Sir Peter to resign his seat immediately rather than retire at the next general election as he has proposed.

Tory leader David Cameron, who ordered Sir Peter to quit, has also said his claims would go before a scrutiny panel to determine how much money he should pay back.

In Sir Peter's Hampshire constituency, a two-bedroom apartment was recently advertised for £24,995 in Carless Close and has sold subject to contract.

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The property, advertised by Fox & Sons estate agents, is part of a block of former Ministry of Defence accommodation flats which are now mostly rented out by private landlords and as social housing.

The second-floor maisonette features double glazing, electric heating and a balcony.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of Liberal Democrats on Gosport Borough Council, said: ''People in Gosport are struggling to make ends meet while Mr Viggers has spent as much on a duck house and gardening as it would cost to buy a home.

''There are over 1,000 people on the council housing waiting list in Gosport and many more who cannot even get on the waiting list.

''Mr Viggers has brought shame and ridicule on the town and made Gosport a laughing stock.

''He should quit now rather than continue claiming his full salary and expenses right up to the next general election.''

Suzie Squire, campaign manager for The Taxpayers' Alliance, said: ''This shows how detached Mr Viggers is from his constituents and ordinary taxpayers.

''He has been incredibly profligate that his expenses border on bonkers, particularly the duck house.

''If he thinks spending more money on gardening than a struggling family would need to spend to put a roof over their heads is acceptable, he's not just detached, he's deluded.

''He needs to explain himself to the people who foot the bill and he should spend less time on gardening and more on issues that matter to the people in the area.''

Mr Chegwyn has also called on Sir Peter to repay £18,000 of public money he claimed for redecorating the Conservative Party office in Gosport.

An internal report by Gosport Conservative Association, obtained by the town's Lib Dems, stated: ''Work carried out included a new open plan look, central heating, new windows, redecoration, new carpets and new, modern office furniture.

''Also, central heating was installed on the ground floor, the damp was treated in the dividing wall, the underground leak in the ladies toilets was repaired and a new gas supply was installed.

''All of this obviously cost a great deal of money - the Association paid some of the cost and some £18,000 came from Peter Viggers, our MP who took advantage of the Government's generosity to get some of this as a grant.''

Mr Chegwyn, who has twice stood for Parliament against Sir Peter, said: ''I think hard-pressed taxpayers will be livid to learn that their taxes are being used to pay for new carpets and furniture in the Gosport Conservative Party office.

''Mr Viggers should pay the money back.''