You've read the book, seen the film - and now you can learn to dance Jane Austen-style.

Follow in the footsteps of Mr Darcy and join a new Regency dance group, started last week in St Luke's Hall, Mildmay Street, off Stanmore Lane, at 8pm.

Jane Austen lived most of her life in the village of Chawton and is buried in Winchester Cathedral.

Club spokesman, James Arnott, said: "With Jane's connections with Winchester, it seems more than appropriate that we should have our own dance group based here.

"Other than going to Bath or London, there is really no where else to learn dances from this period and we have already received a lot interest in the classes."

Jane lived from 1775 to 1817 - an exciting time in the history of dance. Mr Arnott said: "Cotillions, quadrilles and even daring waltzes were being added to the repertoire of stately minuets and country dances which had dominated the social scene of the upper classes for most of the 18th century.

"Jane enjoyed dancing and it featured in her novels as a very important part of the social life of the aristocracy and gentry."

In addition to learning dances of the period, Jane Austen enthusiasts will learn something of the etiquette and fashion of the time.

The new dance class has been given the thumbs-up from the trustees of Jane Austen's former home in Chawton, now a museum.

Organisers say all ages are welcome and neither partner nor experience is necessary.

* For further details, ring 023-80407684.