LOCAL businesses have been hailed in awards organised by the Countryside Alliance.
Best pub in the south-east region went to the Hinton Arms in Petersfield Road, New Cheriton, with the Brushmakers Arms in Upham the runner-up.
West Meon Community Shop won the regional award for the best shop.
The Countryside Alliance is now preparing for the National Champions’ Reception which will be taking place at the House of Lords in May. It says: “We’re very much looking forward to celebrating the wonderful businesses in England, Scotland and Wales who have reached this stage”.

A REMINDER that Cheriton Players return to the stage next month.
The am-dram group will be putting on The Massive Tragedy of Madame Bovary from April 25-29 in the village hall from 7.30pm.
They promise mayhem, adultery and visual absurdity. Tickets are £12 and suitable for children aged 12 and over.

THE next Open Day for the Eel House in Alresford will be Easter Monday April 10, says its owner the Town Trust.

AS WELL as elections for Winchester City Council there will also be a numbers for parish councils across the district on Thursday May 4.
In the Alresford area there are three polls, for Alresford Town Council and parish councils in West Meon and Northington.
Eleven seats are up for election in Alresford, five in Northington and nine in West Meon.
The deadline for nominations is looming.
Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, SO23 9LJ on Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4 pm on Tuesday, April 4.
Nomination papers may be obtained from the clerks to the parish council or offices of the Returning Officer, City Offices, Colebrook Street, Winchester, Hampshire, SO23 9LJ, during the times stated above or can be requested by emailing ereg@winchester.gov.uk.
If any election is contested the poll will take place on Thursday, May 4.
Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 12 midnight on Monday April 17. Applications can be made online: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.
Applications, amendments or cancellations of postal votes and amendments or cancellations of proxy votes must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by 5 pm on Tuesday, April 18.

SEND local news from the Alresford area to newsdesk@hampshirechronicle.co.uk.
The patch stretches from the Candovers to Kilmeston and Tichborne to West Meon.