HAMPSHIRE County Council has welcomed a £6m boost from the government for highways improvements.

The funds will be used for Operation Resilience, a council programme to strengthen roads and footways.

So far the council has improved more than 150 miles of highways against extreme weather conditions and increasing traffic.

The extra money is in addition to the £60 million per year received for general highways maintenance and will be split over the next two financial years.

Councillor Mel Kendal, deputy leader and executive member for environment and transport at Hampshire County Council, said: "Highways maintenance is one of our top priorities. Over three years ago, we made a commitment to invest in a multi-million pound long term strategy, with Operation Resilience and refurbish our highway infrastructure.”