A campaign has been launched to regenerate town centres across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

The "Transform our Towns" initiative aims to revitalise outdated high streets and shopping centres built in the 1960s and 1970s.

The campaign seeks to breathe new life into these areas, preventing unnecessary countryside development by prioritising a "brownfield first" approach.

The initiative also aims to reduce taxpayer debt by encouraging councils to engage with international investors for long-term funding.

Campaign objectives include transforming empty spaces into vibrant retail, dining, and leisure hubs, creating quality housing for first-time buyers and downsizers, and generating new jobs to stimulate local economic growth.

Local campaigner and former international trade minister, Sir Ranil Jayawardena, said: "Regenerating our towns is essential for creating communities that are not only attractive to live in but also economically dynamic.

"Having led successful multi-million pound regeneration projects in the past as deputy leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, I am passionate about seeing our towns and city centres thrive once again – which will help protect our countryside from unnecessary development too.

"It is crucial that the upcoming local government reforms mean we are able to draw in investment from around the world to benefit our communities.

"Together, we can make it happen."

For more information, visit ranil.uk/transformourtowns