‘Robo prof’ Kevin Warwick says he’d be prepared to insert tracker microchips into Reading Borough Councillors if there is enough public support.

Amid growing public concern about Councillors who are elected and then just disappear, the University of Reading cybernetics expert has been bombarded with hundreds of requests from residents for Big Brother-style ID microchips to keep track of the elusive politicians.

Prof Warwick, said: "We're all sick of it. They knock on your door at election time, but when you want a parking scheme or your bin collections sorted, it's like 'call me when I get off the plane'. I'll show the lazy so-and-sos."

As well as tracking movements, the chips will detect whether Councillors are snoozing during committee meetings or having a lie-in when they should be going to residents surgeries, and deliver a small electric shock.