A WEDDING dress exhibition is being held in the local church of Hampshire 19th century novelist Jane Austen.

Jane lived in Chawton near Alton. The exhibition is being staged in St Nicholas church on June 24-25 from 10am-5pm. Entry costs £2.50 with all proceeds going to the church funds.

Dresses on display will span the 1940s to the present day, most of which will have been worn for weddings in St Nicholas Church itself. The church will be full of flowers and recreated bouquets from the bride's photos. The exhibition curator is Tanya Elliott, of Chandler's Ford.