COUNCIL workers in Hyndburn have been asked to cut their hours in a bid to help slash the council's £800,000 debt.

The idea has been met with a cool response after only 12 people out of the 600-strong workforce took up the offer, producing a saving of just £4,000.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph can reveal letters were sent out two weeks ago as a response to the financial crisis the council is facing.

With less than three months of the financial year left, the council still has to find savings of £800,000, having already reduced the overspend from £1.8million.

Yesterday the council announced it was considering selling off some of its assets, which could include its headquarters at Scaitcliffe House, the cinema in which it has a one third share, and parks.

The announcement followed the first behind-closed-doors meeting of the cross party budget panel set up to find cost-cutting measures.

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said reduced hours would not be forced on employees. Council director David Welsby said: "To date we have been able to accept 12 applications. This will generate a saving in the region of £4,000.

"This is one of a number of measures and is a relatively small sum in comparison with the deficit."