AN MP has praised the work of the town's voluntary sector, saying it is 'part of the DNA of Basingstoke'.

Maria Miller MP attended the Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA) annual general meeting where she spoke about the importance of the voluntary and community sector as well as meeting the group's new chief executive officer Pat Fitzsimons who also addressed the meeting.

BVA supports the voluntary and community sector working in partnership with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Mrs Miller said: “BVA offers significant support to the community here in Basingstoke. They are also instrumental in identifying volunteers and finding volunteering opportunities that fit into people’s lives.

"Volunteering is part of the DNA of Basingstoke and I am constantly encouraged to meet so many volunteers who give their time and energy in many different ways.

"They are the lifeblood of a wide range of organisations in the town and, without them, many of the services that we take for granted would just not exist.

“There are more than 350 voluntary and community organisations in Basingstoke and Deane, relying on the dedication, energy and commitment of their volunteers in order to carry out their work.”