Councillors are feeling festive as they’ve given an early Christmas present to a Bordon church and residents association.

Whitehill Town Council has given £1,500 to Sacred Heart Catholic Church to enhance the annual Christmas light switch-on.

The grant – one of four recently approved by WTC Executive Committee – will help the church to hold a community event to coincide with the illuminating event on November 22.

“We are delighted and feel very grateful to WTC for this grant to help support an evening of peace, hope and light,” said Rev Fr John Chandler of Sacred Heart.

“The days feel darker, metaphorically and seasonally, and we hope the event on November 22 will be a time for the whole community to come together and begin the season of Christmas as the lights are turned on.”

The New Heritage Residents Association were awarded £850 to help with the costs of a Christmas tree, ancillary items and community Christmas Fayre, while Mercer’s Gym was given £1,000 to fund half-price boxing sessions for referrals.

The grant will make a “huge impact” on the health and wellbeing of many as the gym often receives referrals from Youth Crime Prevention, Hampshire Police, Social Services, the NHS and local schools.

The council also gave £500 to the Whitehill & Bordon Community Association to upgrade its website and thus give residents more and better information on services, facilities and events held at the Forest Centre. A spokesperson for the WBCT said the Association is “very grateful” for the council’s continued support.