A council leader has defended the decision to award his chief executive a significant £3,000 a year pay rise - claiming "he is worth it".

Leader of Test Valley Borough Council Cllr Ian Carr backed his council's decision to award a two-and-a-half percent pay rise to its staff - even though chief executive Roger Tetstall, who already earns over £110,000 a year, is set to pocket £2,795 as a result.

For the full story, including reactions, pick up this week's copy of the Andover Advertiser.

Also in this week's paper: - Group dig deep for revamp.

- Hospice boss is announced.

- Optimistic way to join in a march.

- Successful pub fundraiser.

- Joy as council agrees to tidy parking land - Wounded veterans in a 100-mile cycle ride.

- 'At-risk' nursery is now improving - inspector.

A packed letters page, community news and looking back.

All the sport news including cricket, football, motorsport, tennis, netball and golf.

All this and much more in this week's Andover Advertiser, out now.