THE American Declaration of Independence, the French Revolution, the sinking of the Titanic...all these events and more have been reported in the Hampshire Chronicle over the last 230 years.

But now the reports of these events have been reprinted in one booklet.

Historic Headlines faithfully reproduces many of the famous moments from Britain's past. In the Chronicle's early days it reported on international and national events as well as local news. It was only with the advent of a good rail network and distribution of national newspapers that the Chronicle focused more on local news.

However, even today international events such as the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre are reported in the Chronicle with their affect on the Hampshire community.

Editor, Alan Cleaver, said: "There are many astonishing accounts of world events in the Chronicle archives but until now they have been difficult to access.

"Copies of the Chronicle are on microfilm in Hampshire libraries but this new booklet brings together the paper's 'greatest hits' in one publication."

The language used by reporters of yesteryear often adds to the atmosphere. For example, the report on the assassination of Lincoln begins: "Appalling and astounding news comes from America, such as never before was borne across the Atlantic."

And the report on the sinking of the Titanic begins: "A terrible disaster, unparalleled in the records of the sea, has overtaken the world's greatest ship, the White Star liner Titanic..."

Alan said: "In the age before radio and TV, the Chronicle was the source of information for people in and around Winchester. Frequently, the first news bulletin was posted in the window of our High Street office."

This was the case with the Titanic when crowds quickly gathered to read the telegram first announcing the ship's sinking: "To Chronicle, Winchester: Titanic struck iceberg Cape Race. Wireless states vessel sinking. Passengers embarking lifeboats."

And even in modern times, the Chronicle posts news flashes in the office window. Election results in particular are posted on the window.

"It is still, despite the advent of the internet, often the quickest way of letting people know the news" Alan said.

When the first news of Mark Oaten's famous two-vote victory in the 1997 election was posted in the office windows, crowds swarmed to learn of the result.

There are also major local events reprinted in Historic Headlines. A century ago the 'Gosport Murder' was the topic everyone was talking about.

William Churcher was eventually hanged at Winchester Prison - with a Chronicle reporter present - for killing his lover, Sophia Hepworth.

Coincidentally, 100 years later Lesley Park, a descendant of the Churcher family, works at the Chronicle and collaborated on Historic Headlines.

Lesley said: "When I first started researching my family history I was warned by an Auntie not to dig too deep as we had a murderer in the family. Little did I realise how close to home the story would be: William Churcher was hanged just a quarter of a mile from the Chronicle office."

Some events are less gruesome. In 1897 the Chronicle carried its first 'road test' with a reporter being taken for a driver by General Montgomery of Southgate Street in Winchester's first motor car - a Daimler.

"Throughout the journey it was under splendid control, answering to the slightest touch of the steering wheel" reported the latterday Jeremy Clarkson.

And the reporter went on to say: "The Company (Daimler) recommend for use an oil spirit named 'petrol' which they supply at elevenpence per gallon."

The top speed allowed by law at that time was 12mph but the Chronicle strongly hint that the vehicle at times went as fast at 16mph!

Historic Headlines is available from selected newsagents or the Chronicle office in High Street, Winchester, priced £1.50.