This week our front page is dedicated to two East Hampshire people who are known throughout the world.

Two literary greats from East Hampshire are linked by a momentous day.

Next Tuesday, July 18, it will be 200 years since Jane Austen, cherished by book lovers across the world, died at Winchester after making her final journey from her Chawton home.

And that day also marks the 297th birthday of world renowned naturalist Gilbert White, Selborne’s famous son.

With Steep poet Edward Thomas commemorated in April, 100 years after his death in the First World War, East Hampshire has been the focus of the literary world.

Hundreds of commemorative and celebratory events are taking place this summer, attracting tens of thousands of visitors eager to walk in the footsteps of their literary heroine, and heroes.

It has been a chance for the district to showcase its many attractions to tourists from every continent, with this week the most significant on the packed calendar.

Tourism leaders are hoping the legacy of this special summer will see visitors coming back again and again.

Inside this week’s Post we have four pages devoted to the lives of Jane Austen and Gilbert White and the events planned to commemorate them.

If you wish to purchase a copy of this week’s special edition please call our office on 01730 232600 or e-mail: [email protected]

A digital edition of the front page can be purchased and downloaded by clicking on the following link: http://subscriber.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/subscribe.aspx?source=4&eid=0a1bec53-94a0-4971-9887-fb680b9cc489