BISHOP'S Waltham Parish Council has stalled on a funding pledge to retain civic staff who helped boost local business.

Winchester City Council wants to renew its contracts for market towns' development officers Heidi Isa and Jade Moses, who help organise major events, tourism and fundraising in Bishop's Waltham, Wickham, Alresford and Denmead.

City bosses want to extend their hours and are asking the parish council to boost its funding to more than £8,000 per year.

At a meeting last week, councillors hailed Ms Isa's impact but Cllr Terry Wilson said: "I don't see why we should be funding anything for the benefit of people who are in business - that is not our role."

Councillors deferred a decision on whether to pledge the cash until January.