ONE of the world’s most famous board games comes to Winchester today. (THURS)

Monopoly the game first created in 1935, is to launch a Winchester version of the game at 10am today at King Alfred’s statue.

Members of the public are now being asked to suggest which Winchester landmarks should feature on the board.

The firm behind the Winchester Monopoly, Winning Moves UK, have told the Chronicle that there will be a square on the board for the Hampshire Chronicle.

Benjamin Thompson, custom games executive at Winning Moves UK, said: “We expect to be absolutely spoilt for choices on Winchester landmarks to appear in this game.”

Mr Thompson said: “The game will see around 30 leading Winchester landmarks replacing the famous Monopoly addresses like Mayfair and Park Lane. We are inviting the public to help us put this edition together by sending in votes and suggestions. From very initial soundings we have so far had the most wonderful response. “

“We are absolutely sure this will be one of the best Monopoly editions anywhere every in the world. It may probably prove a case of what is left off rather than on.”

“The Chance and Community Chest cards will be Winchester themed too. One could send players back three spaces for getting stuck in a Winchester traffic bottleneck. It’s a blank canvas at the moment but it will be ready to be released in time for this Christmas and will hit shop shelves this October.”

He added: “The game will reflect the flavour and feel of Winchester and parts of it will be fun. There may well be a playing card sending players to Southampton, rather than the jail, if that comes across from the public”

“But really everything is up for grabs at the moment. We want to hear from the public on everything. We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing Winchester is Passing GO.”

Historic Winchester Cathedral has been suggested for the top Mayfair position on the new edition based on England’s former capital city.

As well as the Cathedral, other leading Winchester landmarks tipped to appear include Winchester College, The Great Hall, the King Alfred the Great statue, the Guildhall and the City Museum.

The Mayor of Winchester, Cllr Jane Rutter, said: “This is great news that Winchester is to get its very own version of Monopoly. I will of course be voting for the Mayor’s residence, Abbey House, and our Guildhall to feature on the board. But I know everyone will have fun suggesting their own favourites.”

Mr Thompson went on to reveal that as well as the board showcasing the finest of Winchester’s loved landmarks all of the Monopoly sets of two, three and four will be “exclusively” Winchester. The customised sets will span the world of tourism, heritage, arts, leisure, education, entertainment, travel, sport and other sectors.

The company behind the Winchester version have said that the famous multi-coloured Monopoly banknotes, which range in denomination from one to five hundred, could each have a stamp of Jane Austen, the Hampshire authoress who was buried at Winchester Cathedral, exactly 200 years ago this July. Austen will also this summer be featuring on the new Bank of England £10 notes.

Votes and suggestions should be sent to: winchester@winningmoves.co.uk or by post to: Monopoly Winchester Edition, Winning Moves UK, 7 Praed Street, London W2 1NP. Polls get underway from 10am on 16th March and close at 23.59pm on 31st March.