EASTON and Itchen Abbas will be given a boost to mobile phone signal as part of £2 billion network upgrades.

Mobile operator Vodafone is extending its 3G internet coverage to the notorious 'not-spots'.

Residents have long complained of low signal and included the problem in their Parish Plan.

Their wishes have now been answered by Vodafone's Rural Sure Signal scheme, following site surveys and engineers' visits.

Steve Brine, MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, said: “I am very pleased to see this new ROSS system up and running.

"I have been working hard with Hampshire County Council and government on rural broadband issues, and having spoken to countless people in the area, I know this will be very warmly welcomed indeed.”