Adverts could soon appear in Merton library books as the cash-strapped council attempts to find new ways of balancing its books.

The opportunity for businesses to sponsor individual Christmas lights has also been included in a raft of money-making ideas suggested to the local authority’s cabinet.

Merton’s financial experts need to plug a £6.7m gap in the budget for 2009/10 and save a further £14.5m the following financial year.

But the money-pinching moves have attracted criticism.

Shas Sheehan, Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Wimbledon, said: “I for one would not want my attempt to escape from the arduous realities of life rudely interrupted by a leaflet for double glazing dropping on my lap.

“In terms of saving money, these ideas will generate hardly anything and should be reconsidered.”

A target income of £100,000 has been set from advertising and filming revenue - including an estimated £10,000 paid by programme makers of The Bill for shooting scenes in Merton’s parks and council estates.

The final budget for the financial year is in the process of being finalised and is predicted to see the loss of 30 job positions.

But Merton’s deputy leader and cabinet member for corporate resources, Councillor Samantha George, said advertising in library books was unlikely to appear in the next budget and praised council officers for balancing the books.

She added: "Presenting a balanced budget has taken a lot of hard work.

“As well as taking into account a low level of grant from central Government, the council is seeing a decrease in income from chargeable services and an increase in demand for its essential services as more people call on it for support.

"The council is determined to do what it has to in order to put its residents’ needs first during the downturn and offer them good value for money.”