THE Queen's Diamond Jubilee looks set to be marked for posterity in Alton by a bandstand in the Public Gardens.

Given the cost at around £50,000, the idea of a new bandstand was thought to be over ambitious.

But the offer of a significant contribution – thought to be in the region of £25,000 – from the estate of the late Ray Porter, a businessman, prompted councillors to revisit the project and, as a result, they are hoping to have a new bandstand in place before the end of the year.

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