A cash-strapped council has announced “bizarre” plans to close its offices every Friday and make staff work from home, in an effort to stabilise finances.

Conservative-run Shropshire Council hopes to save around £300,000 from the move, which will start on the last Friday of the month for the remainder of the year, before becoming weekly in January.

From noon on the last working day of the week, the main council building will close, with staff expected to conduct their business remotely.

Schools, museums, libraries and other amenities will not be affected by the shake-up.

It is thought to be the first time a local authority has introduced such a policy, which has been met by bafflement from union officials.

Shropshire Council believes that the weekly closure will minimise printing, heating and lighting costs.

Leader Peter Nutting said a spending freeze had been agreed across the council because of the need to get this year's budget under control.

He cited the estimated £15 million bill for social care over the next year as one example of “funding that we just don’t have”.

The council chief said: "We expect to get some additional funding but it isn't going to be anywhere near the additional £15 million cost for this year alone.