Simon Hart MP is inviting local residents to get their thinking caps on and come up with bright ideas on how to cut the national deficit. He wants as many people as possible to take part in the Spending Review – a Government idea to get savings ideas from the grass roots.

"We want as many people as possible to get involved in this process and we will scrutinise every suggestion put forward," he said.

Six million public sector workers have already been asked to share their ideas on how to save money and deliver more for less.

Chancellor George Osborne said: "I believe it is the people who are working at the frontline of our public services who know what works well, where there is waste and what we can do to get better services for less money."

Thirty thousand responses have already been received and the second phase of the challenge – asking non-public sector workers for ideas - is due to be launched.

"It's not just public sector workers who will have ideas on how the Government can save money which is why we are asking local residents to put their thinking caps on and tell us how we can deliver more for less.

*If you work in the public sector then you have until Friday (July 9) to submit your ideas via: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/spendingchallenge.

"If you don't work in the public sector then you have a little longer to formulate your ideas," he added.