Aegean islands under the hammer? Germany takes unorthodox stance on Greece's economic troubles.

Proposals for Greece to put some of its most beautiful islands up for sale have been met with alarm by the country's government officials.

The Greek authorities are currently assessing options to right its economy after a catastrophic downturn in financial fortunes. It is said that international hedge funds were responsible for the country's financial woes.

Suggestions for Greece to sell off some of its most prized historical monuments - such as the Parthenon and Acropolis - and untouched islands, were made by two of Germany's right-wing politicians to the Bild newspaper in light of Greece's economic troubles.

Josef Schlarmann, a senior member of Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats, told the publication: "Those in insolvency have to sell everything they have to pay their creditors.

"Greece owns buildings, companies and uninhabited islands, which could all be used for debt redemption."

Frank Schaeffler, a finance policy expert in the Free Democrats, added: "The Greek government has to take radical steps to sell its property – for example its uninhabited islands."

It appears unlikely the recommendations will be adopted by Greece in rectifying its catastrophic financial situation. Instead a programme of tax increases and public spending cuts is under consideration.

Greece's deputy foreign minister, Dimitris Droutsas, told ARD TV: "I've heard the suggestion we should sell the Acropolis.

"Suggestions like this are not appropriate at this time."