GRANTS totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds are available to Hampshire businesses hit by coronavirus restrictions.

Last month the government announced that businesses required to close during the November lockdown could apply for the new Local Restrictions Support Grant, which allowed them to claim for to up to £3,000 for every 28-day period they were shut.

But for businesses that failed to meet the criteria, the government has provided further funding - the Additional Restrictions Grant Scheme.

This will be made available to those in the retail, hospitality, leisure and events sectors that have not been forced to close during lockdown but whose turnover has been significantly affected by the closure of their direct customer base.

It also covers businesses that do not pay business rates but have been forced to close, such as market traders or those providing bed and breakfast accommodation.

Grants of up to £3,000 will be paid to businesses affected by the national restrictions in place between November 5 and December 2.

Businesses in the Test Valley are among those set to benefit.

Cllr Maureen Flood, the borough council's portfolio holder for finance, said: "So many businesses have been indirectly affected by the lockdown closures and this will hopefully provide them with a valuable lifeline to see them through an incredibly difficult period.

"Our teams are working hard to ensure that these grants are paid as quickly as possible and we would urge all those eligible to apply.”