Odiham Parish Council has been awarded the Hampshire Association of Local Councils’ Local Council of the Year award.

The winner was announced at the association’s annual general meeting in Southampton on November 6 and Odiham was selected for having shown “innovation, good practice and excellent use of resources”.

Projects mentioned included setting up a community interest company to run a new book exchange, developing a ‘shop local, eat local, support local’ campaign, setting up a new community speedwatch scheme, updating the conservation area character appraisal, a new website and a redesigned newsletter.

Council chair Cllr Angela McFarlane collected the award alongside parish clerk Andrea Mann.

Cllr McFarlane said: “This award recognises the fantastic support the Odiham Parish Council has received from our community over the past year. We thank all the volunteers and Odiham Parish Council staff who have worked with us to launch the book exchange, speedwatch and village action plan in particular.”