Didcot has won more than £2m to help secure its future growth.

The town, which became one of the Government's New Growth Points last year, has been earmarked the money to provide services like transport, schools, health centres and parks.

It is part of £732m which will be shared between councils and communities across the South East which back the development of thousands of new homes.

South Oxfordshire District Council said the money would be used to part-fund small projects which residents highlighted as a priority.

These include increasing the number of green spaces in the town, an underpass beneath the railway line to improve the link between Ladygrove and the town, and the rebranding' of Didcot.

Anna Robinson, strategic director at the council, said: "This money will help to get some of these smaller projects off the ground and we will get a larger allocation for bigger projects in a few years."

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said: "Those councils and communities that are doing their bit to deliver more homes should get more cash. They need extra funding for infrastructure as well as for local services.

"We need to invest in communities, not just in bricks and mortar. That means parks and play areas, as well as transport and public services."

Mrs Robinson said: "What we have been given is very promising. This is a good indication that the Government is going to support Didcot when we get the next funding allocation. "