HUNDREDS of US fans of one of Britain's best-loved authors will descend on Winchester this week, where a Royal welcome will await them.

More than 200 delegates from the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) will arrive in England's ancient capital on Thursday for the group's annual general meeting.

And, as the American Austen lovers begin their second day in Hampshire on Friday, HRH Princess Alexandra will greet them before joining them at a special ceremony in Winchester Cathedral.

The 210 delegates booked to attend the AGM are all professional scholars or well-read amateurs, with the meeting, the 25th annual meeting of the society, based on a theme of "Homecoming: The importance of Home and Family in Jane Austen's Life and Works."

While the majority of discussions and debates surrounding the author of such literary classics as Emma and Pride and Prejudice will take place in Winchester's Guildhall, several jaunts to places in Hampshire where she lived and worked are also planned.

Local people are also being invited to attend two of the delegate's events to learn more about Jane Austen and her heritage.

The first is a full day of lectures at the Guildhall, where some famous modern literary names, such as authors Joanna Trollope and Irene Collins' will be giving talks, with the second a symposium of actors who have appeared in film and TV versions of her books.

Tickets will be needed for both events and can be bought in person on the day (lectures on Friday, October 10 and symposium on Sunday, October 12).

The highlight of their AGM - the first ever to be held in the UK - will be the visit to Jane Austen's House at Chawton.

Organiser Gene Gill said: "This is probably the most essential visit for most of our delegates."