Over £100 million has been donated to British political parties since new reporting rules came into force in February 2001.

Data disclosed by the Electoral Commission on Tuesday showed that a total of £100,040,373 had been given to registered parties.

This included 5,835 cash donations totalling £76,262,878, non-cash assistance valued at £6,202,673 and public funding of £17,324,086.

A further £250,734 came from trusts exempted from the donor rules, while an additional £89,811 was returned to impermissible donors.

Since February 2001 the Conservative Party has received funding worth £40,017,767, while Labour has received £45,128,433.

The Liberal Democrats trail with donations valued at £7,296,190.

Under the terms of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, parties are required to disclose donations over £5,000 to the main party offices and over £1,000 to constituency offices.

The legislation was introduced by Labour following a string of sleaze allegations and rows over improper funding.

Election cash

Also published on Tuesday were details of donations made during the second quarter of 2004, which included June's local and European elections.

The figures showed Labour again received the most income, with donations totalling £4.38 million, compared to £3.65 million for the Conservatives.

Donations to the Liberal Democrats were valued at £925,048, lagging behind the £1.22 million received by the UK Independence Party.

Welsh nationalists Plaid Cymru received £94,262 while the Scottish National Party's income was £84,660.