A row has broken out over a trip to New Zealand by a Hampshire county councillor and a social services chief.

Executive member for social care, Felicity Hindson, and assistant director of social services, Steve Love, could face a reprimand from council leader, Ken Thornber, for contravening policy by flying business class rather than economy.

Both have been told they will have to repay the difference.

The council says the 12-day mission, said to have cost £9,500, was to learn about new ways of providing care services

Mrs Hindson, Conservative member for Meon Valley, is still in New Zealand on holiday, having arranged to take a fortnight's leave.

She is expected back at her desk on Monday, April 19th, and the council says she will contribute towards her £3,000 business-class ticket.

Brian Dash, deputy leader of the Liberal-Democrat group of county councillors, said: "I find it very difficult to understand why the executive member needed to go all that way. I don't see it as a particularly political task."

It would have made more sense for a council officer, with professional expertise, to go in her place, he added.

Labour member, Mike Roberts, also felt Hampshire should turn first to other local authorities in Britain and Europe before making "unnecessary" trips to the other side of the world.

The council says New Zealand is a world leader in social care and claims Mrs Hindson's presence was vital in securing meetings with top government officials.

During the visit, Mrs Hindson was joined by Mike Doolan, the country's former chief social worker.

He had worked on secondment in Hampshire and the council claims that, by hiring him out to other authorities, it had generated £13,500 in income, offsetting the cost of the trip.

It was the second taxpayer-funded social care trip Down Under in less than eight months - but it cost just £3,000 to send two officers on a recruiting drive last year and they returned with six new social workers.

Mrs Hindson's position and duties entitle her to £26,000 a year in councillor's allowances.