A TRIP to China by Wirral Council’s leader and senior local authority officers last month cost almost £8,000.

During the trip to Suzhou, near Shanghai, the council’s leader Steve Foulkes agreed with the mayor of one of China’s largest centres of commerce to develop “full economic co-operation”.

The meeting was hailed as a coup for the borough, as it bids to see the development of the multi-billion pound Wirral Waters scheme with Peel Holdings.

Peel has said links with Chinese investors will be key to their ambitious project in Wirral’s docklands long-term prosperity.

Success in the visit to Suzhou, has been a key ambition for Wirral, and has already led to work starting on a number of joint projects.

The trip cost £6,021 for the flights, £1,200, for accommodation and transport in China, £240 to travel to and from the airport, £240 for visa’s, £46 for incidental airport expenses and finally about £100 for inoculations. Total cost of £7,847.