Biscuits have been banned from a town hall in a bid to reduce spending and waistlines.

Council bosses in Crawley have decided to axe the perk from their meetings.

The borough council has estimated it would save £3,000 a year while helping councillors lead healthier lives.

A spokeswoman said: "Biscuits are not exactly good for you and we are trying to promote healthy living in Crawley so this is a good way to set an example.

"Coffee is useful but biscuits are not essential."

She said often at the end of council meetings most of the biscuits were left on the plate.

But the move has sparked a rebellion in the ranks, with members claiming biscuits were their only source of sustenance after lunch.

Councillor Jim Smith said: "If this is a money-making initiative that will be followed up by other cost-saving plans then all well and good.

"However, there are some councillors who come to meetings straight from work not having eaten anything since lunch.

"It's very useful for them to know they can at least have a biscuit when they get there."

The council spent £6,241 in the last year for refreshments at meetings and about the same amount the year before.

The biscuit ban comes three months ahead of Healthy Crawley Week, which will encourages residents to eat better and exercise more.

Coun Smith said: "I don't think this is going to solve the financial problems of the council.

"If it is just a case of somebody looking at a plate of biscuits and thinking 'That costs £3,000' and then spending the money on some mad scheme, it's not right."

The cost of local authority catering has become a thorny subject in recent years, with many councillors claiming it is too high.

Two weeks ago The Argus reported councillors in Sussex had run up a food and drinks bill of £100,000 in just 12 months.

The biggest bill was West Sussex County Council's £28,167 on refreshments for 70 councillors at 170 meetings.

The Argus reported two years ago a plate of biscuits at meetings of Brighton and Hove City Council was costing £14, while each bottle of water worked out at £2.80 and a litre of orange juice at £3.50.

Crawley borough councillor Robbie Sharma said he had noticed the absence of biscuits at meetings but thought it was a good thing.

He said: "We do tend to eat rather a lot of biscuits as these meetings can be very long.

"As long as they are there, it is hard not to nibble on them.

"Personally I am trying to be healthier so it is a good thing for me not to have them there."