HAMPSHIRE MPs have backed a bid to stop local communities declining into ghost towns.
They are worried about small and independent shops being driven out of business and the closure of post offices.
They supported new legislation that would give local people more say over their communities, including how Government cash is spent.
Hampshire MPs Mark Oaten (Winchester), Desmond Swayne (New Forest West),Peter Viggers (Gosport) and Chris Huhne (Eastleigh) are supporting a backbench Bill proposed by Tory MP Nick Hurd in a bid to protect strugglingtowns and neighbourhoods.
Mr Hurd's Sustainable Communities Bill has cleared its first Commons hurdle, although it will need to gain Government support before becoming law.
The measure aims to tackle the problem of "ghost towns" hit by poor transport links and the closure of shops and post offices.
It would give town halls new powers to redirect Government cash to whatlocal residents regard as priority areas.
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