The voting records of Sussex MPs in the last Parliament have been laid bare in new official figures.

Commons statistics for 2000 to 2001, the year in the run-up to the General Election, reveal Crawley Labour MP Laura Moffatt had the best record for turning up at "divisions" of the House.

Ms Moffatt, who has since been made a parliamentary aide to Lord Chancellor Derry Irvine, turned up for more than three out of every four votes.

Ivor Caplin attended 72 per cent of divisions, when MPs vote on proposed legislation.

The Hove MP has since been made a whip, making him responsible for getting the highest possible turnout of Labour MPs when a vote is taken.

The figures give each MP a rank, ranging from one to 659, for their voting records. Ms Moffatt was 151 and Mr Caplin 182.

Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper voted in 73 per cent of divisions last year, ranking him at 175.

Kemp Town MP Des Turner voted in 69 per cent, placing him at 219.

Hastings MP Michael Foster voted in 62 per cent of divisions, placing him 325 on the list.

Many of the Opposition MPs held part posts in the last Parliament. The guide to the voting statistics points out MPs with Front Bench duties may find it more difficult to vote.

The other figures are: Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne), 61 per cent, ranked 347; Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham), 66 per cent, ranked 272; Norman Baker (Lewes), 42 per cent, ranked 557; Howard Flight (Arundel and South Downs), 57 per cent, ranked 402; Francis Maude (Horsham), 41 per cent, ranked 560; Charles Wardle (Bexhill and Battle), seven per cent, ranked 631; Andrew Tyrie (Chichester), 57 per cent, ranked 410; Peter Bottomley (West Worthing), 64 per cent, ranked 292; Nicholas Soames (Mid Sussex), 45 per cent, ranked 533; Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith (Wealden), 40 per cent, ranked 565.