Local MP Simon Hart has won parliamentary support for his campaign to tighten up the use of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

He has highlighted the fact that Dyfed-Powys Police spends on average £100,000 and thousands of man hours a year answering FOI requests.

Some of the questions related to the star signs of criminals, werewolves and yetis.

"Some questions are totally legitimate and the FOI Act is a vital tool in increasing the transparency and accountability of public bodies, however when it comes to spurious, time wasting questions from anonymous email accounts I really do think it's time to tighten up," said Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Mr Hart.

He has been supported in his campaign by Dyfed-Powys Police chief Ian Arundale who says that he is is unhappy at having to make cuts elsewhere in the force whilst incurring the financial burden of answering bizarre requests.

Mr Hart raised the issue in the House of Commons, calling for a debate on the subject and saying: "In Carmarthenshire, public bodies have been asked a range of questions including on witches, werewolves, wizards, ghosts, vampires, zombies and demons.

"Even the star signs of local car thieves and the chief constable's lottery choices have been asked for. It is a waste of time and money, and may we review it?"

He won support from Leader of the House Sir George Young MP who also shares concerns about taxpayer's money being wasted.

Sir George said that the Government announced a review of the FOI legislation in January and added:

"We are about to submit our evidence to the Justice Committee as part of the post-legislative scrutiny, and that scrutiny will touch on the costs imposed on those who have to respond to these requests.

"I hope very much that the Committee, once it has received our review of the FOI Act, can take the matter forward. Of course, we will be interested in any recommendations that it might make on changes to the legislation."