Now insolvent Finnish developers Nova last year offered washing machines worth about 21,000 euros free of charge to a private school while eyeing a 3.4-million-euro refurbishment and expansion project at the same school in Pälkäne, commercial broadcaster on Thursday quoted Nova's trustee as saying.

Jouko Heikkilä, a member of the school foundation's board, was quoted as saying that the washer offer had resembled bribery.

Elisa Torvinen, the headmistress of the Anna Tapio school, said Nova had been reluctant to supply a deed of gift on the washers.

Matti Huhtamäki (centre) resigned as chairman of the school foundation soon after Nova came up with the washing machine offer. Mr Huhtamäki was editor of Nova's company newspaper.

Marja Tiura, a Conservative MP, also sat on the foundation's board at the time.

Both Ms Tiura and Mr Huhtamäki received election campaign donations from Nova.

The trustee's report also reveals that Nova had given a 2,500-euro washing machine to the Päivölä institute in Valkeakoski.

Arto Merisola, Nova's former managing director, told the Finnish News Agency (STT) on Friday he had known nothing about the Anna Tapio school's refurbishment project.

He added that the gift was linked to the company's plans to enter the laundry business.

STT