A GWENT Assembly Member hit back at "pathetic" claims she and her husband, also an AM, are using taxpayers' money to win their child a place at a top school.

Speaking exclusively to the Argus, Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle called the allegations "malicious and spiteful".

She said an anonymous e-mail accused Ms Neagle and her husband, Huw Lewis, AM for Merthyr Tydfil, of buying a house in Penarth and deliberately targeting a catchment area of Evenlode Primary School, which enjoys a fine reputation.

The couple were previously renting a flat in a housing complex in Cardiff Bay. Had they remained in that property their three-year-old son would have been in the catchment area for Butetown, one of the most deprived wards in Wales.

Many AMs who live a certain distance from Cardiff, including Ms Neagle and Mr Lewis, can claim up to £12,000 every year for overnight accommodation in Cardiff, which can include rent or mortgage interest payments. This makes it easier for members to meet commitments at the Assembly in Cardiff Bay.

But the couple, both Labour, rejected accusations of questionable use of public money made by a Plaid spokesman.

They argue many AMs from other parties own or rent properties, using their allowance, in and around Cardiff Bay.

Ms Neagle and Mr Lewis chose to move to Penarth because they decided a house would be a more suitable home in which to bring up their three-year-old son than a flat without a garden.

"We are the only couple in the Assembly who are both members and we have a young child to look after," she said.

The AM said it had always been their intention to send their son to their local school in Merthyr Tydfil before they realised it would be impracticalble.

"It wouldn't be possible for one of us to drive him up to Merthyr in the morning and pick him up again at 3pm while meeting our commitments," she added.

A Labour spokesman said the party would not comment, but insisted the couple had not broken any rules.