THREE Hampshire villages have received hundreds of pounds towards documents aiming to improve their quality of life.

Winchester City Council gave Bishop's Waltham and Soberton councils £500 each towards village design statements - planning guidelines which encourage housing developers to respect an area's character.

Oliver's Battery Parish Council has received £500 for its parish plan, a broader document identifying key ways to tackle social, environmental and economic issues.

The council has also announced a £10,000 fund for arts groups, who can win up to £2,000 each.

Interested groups are asked to discuss their entry informally ahead of submission with Kate Cloud, head of economy and arts. She can be contacted at 01962 848 563 or email kcloud@winchester.gov.uk. Application forms can be downloaded from Winchester.gov.uk.