A BRONZE, life-sized sculpture of Jane Austen, believed to be the first in the world, is be unveiled on Tuesday.

The sculpture of the author, originally from Steventon, will be unveiled at midday on Tuesday, July 18, in Market Place, with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) inviting the public to come along and witness the unveiling.

Adam Roud, from Basingstoke, is making the statue, that will stand over five feet tall and aim to represent Austen not only as an author, but as an independent woman in her own right.

The statue of Austen is one of the many parts of the 200th commemoration of the author’s death, taking place all throughout the summer this year.