A cash strapped North Wales council gave away almost £580,000 in complimentary event tickets over the last four years.

Figures revealed in a Freedom of Information request to the Local Democracy Service that since 2014 Conwy Council gave away 25,272 tickets at a value of £579,595.63.

These included tickets to shows at Venue Cymru and events at the council owned sports stadium Parc Eirias.

Access given away to the events included competition prizes and free entry for carers.

As a rule, other than individuals attending in a work capacity, no free tickets are offered to other councillors or officers.

Free tickets are also given to issued to Hynt customers, who are people with a disability who are entitled to a free carers ticket – this is a pan-Wales scheme, which most venues have signed up to.

The council, which is facing an 11.6 per cent council tax, said complimentary tickets can also be used to cultivate potential investors and sponsors, to generate new business opportunities, or to thank existing investors and sponsors.

Conwy Council has been successful in recent years into attracting large events to the county.

These include hosting underage Six Nation games, the National Armed Forces celebrations, as well as being home to North Wales premier concert venue - Llandudno’s Venue Cymru.

But complimentary tickets for Venue Cymru and events such as Access all Eirias are agreed to or organised by the event promoter.

Cllr Louise Emery, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “These figures include tickets for carers to accompany a patron with a disability; competition prizes; and many are issued by the event promoter direct.

"Any councillors who attend events do so to represent the council, and in my experience I spend my time networking with businesses to bring them into the county – building such relationships has proved successful over the years.”

Aberconwy AM, Janet Finch-Saunders, argued that the council needed to look at its policy as it looked to raise council tax and cut services.

She said: “Many residents are already struggling with the imposition of four weekly bin collections, in efforts to save circa £400,000 per annum.

“Further, there is a genuine possibility of a very high council tax increase coming forward and residents will be shocked to learn, as am I, that such a high number of these tickets are being handed out without charge.

“This again will raise the eyebrows of many residents who are struggling to make ends meet given such high levels of council tax increases on an annual basis.”

And John O’Connell, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers‘ Alliance said: “If the council are handing out freebies to employees then they should come clean to local taxpayers. Hard pressed families who work hard and pay their taxes hope that this money will go towards essential services, and it’s not fair to forego revenue for events and expect residents to pick up the bill by paying more and more in council tax each year.”