Peter Hargreaves' offer to solve budget woes welcomed by mayor

Mr Hargreaves said half the council's departments "don't do anything"

Bristol's elected mayor has welcomed an offer by one of the city's leading businessmen to help sort out the city council's budget.

Peter Hargreaves, co-founder of the investment company Hargreaves Lansdown, said he could balance the authority's books "in a morning's work".

Mayor George Ferguson has to find £35m in spending cuts.

"I'm getting people from all walks of life coming in to help with new ideas at the city council," Mr Ferguson said.

He added: "I'd welcome Peter coming in."

Mr Hargreaves said he would like a list of all the departments in the city council and hear "all the things they're supposed to do".

"I could balance this city's budget in a morning's work," he claimed.