ACTRESS Emma Thompson, who wrote and starred in the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, has come out in support of an urgent appeal to keep Chawton House Library at Chawton open.

The appeal was launched after the Bosack Kruger Foundation announced it won’t continue funding up to 65 per cent of the money needed each year to keep the Elizabethan manor house open.

Formerly known as the Great House, but now called Chawton House Library, it is also a charitable education trust as well as being open to visitors.

Now, £150,000 is needed to keep it running for the next 18 months while major funding bids to the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England, are prepared.

Emma Thompson, who received an Oscar for her screenplay adaptation of Austen’s book Sense and Sensibility, said: “I understand how special Jane Austen is, and will continue to be, for readers and writers around the world.

“That’s why securing and enhancing her house is so important. Not only because it’s an important part of her heritage.

“But also because it places her in the context of a whole community of early women writers.

“The house has the makings of a major cultural visitor destination but it needs our support to reach its full potential.”

The library collection includes Austen family heirlooms. It also includes novels, poetry and travel journals, history, medicine and political debate papers, all written by women.

The house, formerly owned by Austen’s brother Edward, is renowned worldwide as an academic research centre.

It is hoped that redeveloping facilities such as the cafe, shop and exhibition spaces, will make it more attractive to visitors, and so increase its income, with a view to it eventually becoming self funding.

With an estate of 275 acres in the English landscape style, it is well placed to host overseas visitors wishing to explore the village which was home to Jane Austen during the final, and most productive, years of her life.

The latest fundraising push is the BrickbyBrick campaign, where supporters pay £25 to ‘buy a brick’ and contribute to saving the house one brick at a time.

For details about the house and how to donate, visit the website www.janesgreathouse.org