Test Valley Borough Council has been honoured for the support it gave to businesses hit by last winter’s flooding The council has won the Federation of Small Businesses’ Wessex Regional Local Authority Small Business Friendly Award.

Council leader Ian Carr is pictured accepting the award on behalf of the authority from Tim Coleman, regional vice chairman of the FSB Wessex region.

At least 80 businesses were affected by the floods, including all 40 at Budds Lane in Romsey.

The management of the flooding and its aftermath involved the distribution of thousands of sandbags, the arranging of alternative car parking and staff visits to business properties.

Test Valley was the first borough council in Hampshire to publish a Business Support Scheme to encourage firms to access funding as early as possible.

Economic Portfolio Holder, Peter Giddings, said: “The flooding was hugely distressing to many of our businesses, so being able to help them through difficult times was a high priority. I am immensely proud that we’ve been honoured with this award and I would like to thank all the businesses, residents and staff who pulled together in a time of crisis.”