AN Otterbourne events planner is letting the world in on her secrets by publishing a new book with everything happy couples need to know about planning their wedding.

Your Day Your Way, by Jean Francis, is a treasury containing more than 30 complete scenarios with which couples may be able to identify.

It features stories about several "different" weddings, including one that helped raise funds for charity and others held on beaches, in woodland and even ceremonies conducted in ancient barns.

The book is packed with information on themed wedding packages, useful contact details, as well as cost-saving suggestions, checklists and ideas.

It even features ways to resolve family conflict when it comes to tying the knot, a chapter on eco-friendly weddings and ideas for gay commitment celebrations.

Mrs Francis moved to Winchester in 1977, living more latterly in Otterbourne before retiring five years ago to be near her family in Horsham, West Sussex.

The ambitious grandmother has plans to write a series comprising 10 books.

Her first was Time to Go, about inspirational funerals, and Your Day Your Way is the second in the series of "guides for life".

While living in Winchester, she worked as chef at the private Sarum Road Hospital before moving on to open the Below Stairs Restaurant in St Cross.

Meanwhile, her party planning and catering business continued to expand, eventually becoming a full-time challenge.

She catered for a wide range of functions, civic occasions, Gurkha reunions but especially weddings, helping by co-ordinating other complimentary services.

Mrs Francis said: "As always, it was the small and unexpected surprises that excited people most of all, these being the memories that linger on."

She now offers a mentor service, using e-mail and telephone to help couples create individual occasions unique to their essence.

She may be contacted at milestone-celebrations@uwclub.net.

Your Day Your Way, published by Pen Press, is priced at £8.99.