County has a plan to increase its financial muscle

HAMPSHIRE are planning to boost their financial base by making either a private placing or a public offer of shares in the county.

Last year, Hampshire members agreed for the county to become a privately-owned company.

Graham Walker revealed that by the end of next month, they will announce plans for the initiative which they hope will raise £8m - half of which has already been underwritten.

They have appointed corporate financial advisers to see through the plan. The money will be used to fund extra facilities at West End.

The ground itself cost around £24m to build.

Hampshire have also applied to Sport England for money to pay for safety work to be completed, including the installation of hand rails, as well as the upgrading of the public address system.