Whitehill Town Council is celebrating after winning a highly-prized national accreditation. Following a bid to the Hampshire accreditation panel, appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister, the council received news that it had "quality town status" at its meeting on Tuesday. "I would like to congratulate Whitehill Town Council for achieving quality status. It is a great reflection on the staff at Whitehill," said Michael Cartwright, county councillor for Bramshott. The accreditation panel is chaired by Diane Andrewes and she praised Whitehill Town Council for their community leadership adding that there was "a marvellous participation in the Local Plan Inquiry which more town and parish Councils could undertake". Whitehill has joined seven other councils in Hampshire which have the much sought after status. Hampshire County Council is hosting a reception on March 1 at the Great Hall in Winchester, where the town council will be presented with the certificate.