CIVIC chiefs in Hampshire will receive a major slice of a £6bn war chest to fight potholes over the next six years.

The county's local authorities will been awarded the funds by the Government to urgently improve the region's roads from the New Year until 2021.

Today's announcement follows a succession of severe winters and devastating floods badly damaging stretches of carriageway and leaving councils desperately playing catch-up with road maintenance.

Hampshire County Council will receive £140m and Southampton City Council £9m to fix the worst affected roads, while they will be able to apply for more to make further improvements to the road network.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the total package will plug more than 18 million potholes.

The windfall features £4.7billion to be shared between 115 English councils, while authorities can bid for a further £575m to repair and maintain infrastructure such as junctions, bridges and street lighting.

An additional £578 million has been set aside for an incentive fund scheme starting in 2016 rewarding councils demonstrating they are delivering value for money in carrying out cost-effective improvements.

Mr McLoughlin said: "Roads play a significant part in everyday life. Poorly-maintained local roads, blighted by potholes, are a menace to all road users, particularly during the festive period as people travel to see family and friends.

"It is vital we have good quality roads. This Government has already taken strong action by spending £1 billion more on local roads maintenance than was spent in the previous parliament."

He continued: "This £6 billion funding will put an end to short-term fixes and will mean we have committed £10 billion between 2010 and 2021.

"This huge investment is part of our long-term economic plan to ensure we have a transport network fit for the 21st century."