PREPARATIONS are well under way across East Hampshire for a right royal knees-up to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

But an anti-monarchist group is preparing to spoil the party, saying they could draw up their plans in a Petersfield pub within the next fortnight.

Petersfield has been chosen as the launch site for the inaugural Hampshire meeting of the "Republic" initiative – a national movement that wants Britain to adopt the Irish system, with a democratically elected parliament and head of state.

It advocates abolishing a constitutional role for the royal family, with the British people deciding on a constitution through a referendum.

For full story, see this week's Petersfield Herald.