HOLLYWOOD is about to come to Basingstoke.

Or at least the town is about it get a similar large-letter logo to the one sitting on the hillside of the famous Los Angeles film district.

Destination Basingstoke is planning the project for installation in 2020 as a follow-up to the successful Jane Austen bench initiative, which saw individually designed benches placed in a trail around the town.

The move was announced by Felicity Edwards during last week’s visit by Basingstoke Ambassadors to Andover watercress growers Vitacress.

She said they had dubbed the project Basingstoke Letters From The Untold Story and they intended to tap into the many links that town has through the memories of the community.

She added: “Each large huge letter will be designed by a local artist. The design will be inspired from working in the community and with each other. We want it to be something people of Basingstoke can relate to.”

Felicity said they were yet to decide on the final location, but the intention was that it would be somewhere prominent to be seen, used and enjoyed by as many people as possible.

She pointed to places other than Hollywood where similar lettering had great impact - including Amsterdam.

The Destination Basingstoke chief added: “It’s a highly effective way of marketing and it needs imagination to understand the potential.

She added that they already have seven local artists committed to the project and they had applied to the Arts Council for funding.

The Gazette has also signed up to being the media supporter for the project.

Sponsors are also beginning to show interest.

Felicity added: “We are going to offer individual sponsorship for each individual letter. They will be able to look after their big letters for a few months before it is installed and receive a smaller replica of the letter.”

If you have a special memory of Basingstoke or a reason you have settled in the town let us know. We are working with Destination Basingstoke to collate the stories that will inspire the artists. Email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk and please put Untold Story in the subject line.