Gloucestershire CC has said it will hand over surplus furniture to community groups and parish or town councils next month free of charge, as part of a programme to reduce office space.

The Meeting the Challenge programme could save the authority £114m over the next four years. Interested groups need to bring their own transport and community group or council proof of membership. Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Gloucestershire's leader, said: ‘As furniture can be expensive to buy, it makes sense to pass on what we don't need.