FIVE Hampshire county councillors have declared their Masonic membership on a new online register of interests.

The council says the register is mainly to provide information which "might reasonably be thought by others" to influence councillors’ actions, speeches or voting.

Councillors have been asked to provide details including their employment or business, membership of any organisation and political party.

The register reveals cllr John Bryant (Fareham, Conservative) is a member of the Lodge of Harmony and Hermes Lodge based at the Masonic Hall in Queens Road, Fareham and of the London-based Grand Charity Freemasons Hall.

Cllr Peter Kent Mason (Winchester, Liberal Democrat) is a member of the Freemason Grand Charity.

Cllr Adrian Evans (Lymington, Conservative) is listed as a member of "Masonic charities while Eric Neal (Aldershot East, Conservative) and Roger Kimber (Aldershot West, Conservative) are both members of the Grand Lodge of England.

The Government has made declaration of any Masonic membership a condition of appointment for new judges, magistrates, the police and probation officers.

Meanwhile, chairman of Hampshire County Council Councillor Carol Leversha has one of the more unusual interests. She is a member of the Wessex Angora Goat Society and British Mohair Marketing.

The Tory councillor, who can spin and weave, said: "We used to breed goats very successfully but we only have two left now – pensioners."