The Treasury has come up with an unusual solution to cutting the budget deficit, by hiring out one of its iconic buildings to the makers of a Hollywood film.

The sixth film in the 'Fast and Furious' street car racing series, starring action man Vin Diesel, contains a scene in which the circular court of the Treasury is transformed into a nightclub, complete with souped-up cars and dancing girls.

Fast and Furious 6, which is due out in cinemas next month, sees Diesel playing a criminal who teams up with a law enforcer to bring a rival gang to justice, in exchange for clean police records.

Part of the action takes place in London, and included filming at the 100-year-old Treasury building in Whitehall which is usually reserved for civil servants at the Treasury and HMRC to park their cars.

The film-makers spent two days over a weekend at the location, known as Government Offices Great George Street, and extra security was laid on to ensure there was no threat to any financial records. The decision to hire out the building, for up to £5,000 a day, was made by a contractor who runs the ministry under a Private Finance Initiative contract.