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A HOLYROOD quango was slammed last night for splashing taxpayers' cash on a ScotRail logo redesign - which cost £59,000 per WORD.

Transport Scotland forked out £118,000 to have the livery revamped and ended up having the words 'Scotland's Railway' added to the side of carriages.

Last night furious Tory finance spokesman Derek Brownlee said: "You couldn't make this up. At £59,000 a word, even JK Rowling doesn't earn this much.

"The SNP really needs to get a grip and stop throwing taxpayers' money around like confetti. The public are sick and tired of their hard-earned cash being frittered away."

The total bill was made up of money handed to consultants to look at the project, then tender for it - and for the cost of the repainting the trains. In 2008, Transport Scotland - which runs our roads, bridges and railways - was plunged into controversy when it was revealed finance director Guy Houston was a shareholder in train operator First Group.

It was then slammed by Holyrood's Audit Committee over a six figure pay-off to his successor Malcolm Reed.

Last night Labour MSP High Henry, who heads the committee, said of the logo: "This is a sickening waste of scarce taxpayer resources. When will this organisation learn they need to spend public money wisely?

"How anyone in their right mind could think this represents value for money is beyond me.

"Not a penny of it will add to passenger comfort or safety.