ALTON Town Council has launched a new events guide for 2017 alongside a new ‘Pocket Guide to Alton’, and an updated version of the website.

This year promises to be an exciting one for events across the town, heavily focused on the wide range of commemorations of the 200th anniversary of the death of author Jane Austen.

Not only is the town council supporting both Alton’s annual Regency Week in June and the Hampshire Cultural Trust’s celebrations throughout the year, it is organising a number of its own events to complement the offerings, including stage versions of Austen novels in the Public Gardens, screenings of film adaptations of Austen novels, entertainment for children, and the ‘Sitting with Jane’ commemorative bench project.

Town clerk Leah Coney said: “With Visit England declaring 2017 the Year of Literary Heroes, Alton has a wonderful opportunity to showcase itself as part of the packed events programme across the county.”

Alton’s new Events Guide, containing an extensive listings programme for 2017, will be delivered to every household in Alton and the surrounding villages in the first week of January.

Alongside the Events Guide, the town council has released a new Pocket Guide to Alton, available online and in paper copy.

“With so many visitors, tourists and new residents coming to Alton, the new pocket guide contains a wealth of information detailing where to shop, eat and stay together with ideas for days out in and around the town,” said Mrs Coney.

“The guide also contains an interesting insight into the history of Alton together with a handy list of information on local services. The council would like to extend its thanks to all the local businesses who have kindly supported both of these new publications.”

And she added: “The town council is proud to promote what Alton has to offer, not just for visitors and tourists but also those who live and work here. There is so much going on we felt it was really important to let everyone know what wonderful things are happening in our community in 2017.”