WINCHESTER Cathedral is holding a free open evening next week.

The cathedral is inviting guests to take a behind-the-scenes look at the building and how it is maintained day-to-day.

Visitors can also see ancient manuscripts and the 12th Century Winchester Bible as well as try their hands at calligraphy and bell-ringing.

The event starts at 5.30pm on Tuesday, January 29, with Evensong before activities from 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Meanwhile also on Janaury 29 the cathedral is celebrating the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice by holding a special tour and cream tea.

Austen's grave at the cathedral is one of its most visited places and volunteer guides with special knowledge of the writer will take guests from the cathedral to the house Austen lived in during her final weeks.

The tour starts at 2.30pm is repeated on the first Tuesday of each month until September. Tickets cost £10.

For more details on these events visit winchester-cathedral.org.uk.