MORE than £6million has been handed to Dorset councils to repair potholes and resurface roads damaged by severe weather.

The Government announced how it would be sharing a £183.5million emergency fund amongst councils in England.

Dorset County Council was awarded £5.8million, Bournemouth council £349,312 and Poole £255,311.

Hampshire County Council was awarded a total of £11.5million.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “Damage to roads causes misery for drivers and local communities and the severe weather over the last few months has made the problem worse.

“This extra money will help make a real difference to the millions of road users and residents across England who rely on local roads, giving them safer and smoother journeys.”

All local councils will be required to publish information on their websites showing how and where the money will be spent.