Lewisham Council has challenged the public to help solve its budget woes using an online simulator under the title ‘The Big Budget Challenge’.

The borough needs to save £85 million over the next three years in the wake of cuts to local government from Westminster and has offered the task to members of the public willing to participate.

The council’s budget is being slashed by a third next year so participants will have to save one pound for every three in the current budget.

Mayor of Lewisham Sir Steve Bullock said: “The Council is facing some very tough choices over the coming months to balance our books. While the Government is cutting our budget by a third, Lewisham’s population is growing as quickly as anywhere in London, putting extra pressure on our services from adult and children’s social care, to school places, refuse collection and waste disposal.”

To get involved visit www.lewisham.gov.uk/bigbudgetchallenge