MORE than £5million has been handed to Dorset County Council to repair potholes and resurface roads damaged by severe weather.

It came after the government announced how it would be sharing a £183.5million emergency fund amongst councils in England.

Dorset County Council was awarded £5.8million.

Leader of Dorset County Council Spencer Flower said: “We’re pleased that the amount of damage the county has received over the past few months has been recognised, but this money is only part of the funding we need to repair all the storm-damaged roads.

"All roads have been surveyed as part of the bidding process and the estimated cost of repairing the network is £8million.

"An intense programme of works will be planned to make sure this money is spent by the government’s deadline of the summer holidays.

“The plan will look at carrying out repairs in the most efficient way, but balanced with causing the least disruption to local residents.”

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said that damage to roads causes misery for drivers and local communities and the severe weather over the last few months has made the problem worse. All local councils will be required to publish information on their websites showing how and where the money will be spent.