BASINGSTOKE town centre will stage a week of events from Saturday to celebrate this year’s Purple Flag Week.

A week of entertainment will be laid on between September 27 and October 5 in venues including the Top of The Town, Festival Place, The Anvil and The Haymarket to mark the town centre’s Purple Flag status.

The town has held the status for a year, following a successful bid put together jointly by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Festival Place, Anvil Arts, Destination Basingstoke, Basingstoke Street Pastors, Basingstoke Town Centre Pubwatch and Hampshire Constabulary.

Run by the Association of Town and City Management, the Purple Flag recognises towns and cities that have a well-run night time management scheme.

Basingstoke is one of only 46 towns and cities across the UK to be recognised for offering a safe and enjoyable night out.

This year’s celebrations will get under way with an evening of free live music from talented singer-songwriter Katy Hurt and local band B-funkt outside the United Reformed Church at the Top of The Town on Saturday from 7pm to 9pm.

Other events taking place that night include a performance of Design for Murder at The Haymarket, classic soulful tunes at The Tea Bar, a good old singsong coupled with pie and mash at a Cockney Evening at The White Hart, in London Road, the chance to party with resident DJ Garry Virgo at The Tonic Bar, or a night at The Queens Arms, in Bunnian Place.

Other top events during the week include Hampshire’s OctoberFest, the Basingstoke Variety Show, Jim Davidson at The Anvil and Jan Jack’s Laughter House at the Red Lion.

The week will finish on October 5 with a family day at Hampshire’s OctoberFest, afternoon tea accompanied by piano music at The Tea Bar, acoustic performances at The White Hart, Sunday Night Live at The Rhu Bar and a performance of Madama Butterfly at The Anvil.

Councillor Terri Reid, Cabinet member responsible for the Town Centre Programme, said: “This week is a great opportunity to showcase our town centre as a destination for a variety of entertainment and leisure.”