Funding of more than £250,000 to rebuild a cricket pavilion in a Test Valley village has been met with celebrations. 

Over Wallop Parish Council was awarded £266,500 in the latest round of levelling up funding.

It will be used to rebuild the dilapidated community pavilion and create a sustainable sports facility and community hub for residents of the village and surrounding rural areas.

Posting on Facebook, MP Caroline Nokes said: “I am very pleased that Over Wallop is to get a new pavilion at the David Evans Memorial Field to replace the current dilapidated facilities there.

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“Kate Dixon the parish council chairman has done such incredible work getting grant funding in place and I was very pleased to be able to support the bid to the COF. It is so exciting to get the news from the minister that the bid was successful and the new sustainable community hub and sports pavilion can go ahead.

“Great to be at the pavilion for a guided tour of what's there currently and to hear about the plans that can now go ahead.”

Cllr Stewart MacDonald, who represents the Mid Test ward on Test Valley Borough Council, said: "A new pavilion for the Alan Evans Memorial Ground is fantastic news for Over Wallop and all in our community. It will act not just as a sporting venue but a community hub for all to enjoy.

"Kate Dixon, the chair of the Over Wallop Parish Council, has worked tirelessly to secure the necessary funding. I'm delighted that Test Valley Borough Council could support this important initiative."