In a bid to promote the town, traders at Alresford have launched a website.

The site has 72 pages and the chamber of commerce says it is growing by the day with over 2,000 hits already.

The website contains tourist information details on accommodation, a comprehensive list of businesses, clubs and societies and hyperlinks to the Watercress Line as well as general information and maps.

"Websites that are designed primarily to make money out of advertising rarely contain enough information to draw a large volume of visitors," said chairman, Andrew Merry.

"However, the chamber now produces enough publications to make it a worthwhile site and it will fulfil a valuable role in promoting our local retailers and services," he added.

"It is vital for the prosperity of the town that we use every tool at our disposal to promote our businesses.

"We will continue to publish the Alresford Diary and Directory of Services and Spend a Day in Alresford, but the new website will give us another string to our bow."

The chamber is now looking for contributions to the site from local clubs and societies as well as comments from residents about the website.

The site has been donated to the chamber by resident, Roy Gentry, who created it and who will continue to be its webmaster.

He may be contacted on web@alresford.org for more information or suggestions and Alresford organisations may e-mail him with their details.

The website is www. alresford.org