COMMUNITY leaders have given one of the first grants of a renewed scheme to a Romsey business.

As previously reported, Test Valley Borough Council gave a green light for the next three years to the Independent Retailer Grant.

It means up to £20,000 could be given to businesses in Romsey and Andover.

Now, the council has given £500 to one town business specialising in Chinese medicine.

Based on Church Street, Dr Yanbing Li has been handed her first instalment of the £1,000 grant by councillor Ian Richards.

Cllr Richards said: "Dr Yanbing has a great deal of experience in using traditional Chinese medicines and has spent a lot of time building up a client base through her previous sessions at Wellow Village Hall.

"It's great to see that the business is thriving; I am sure it will continue to do so now that it has set up home in a town centre unit."

Dr Yanbing added: "It's been a busy few months but I'm really pleased that I've been able to expand the business.

"I'd like to thank Test Valley Borough Council for the grant and for supporting me on this journey."

Recipients of the £1,000 grant receive £500 after three months of trading and a further £500 six months later.