THE 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice attracted national and international coverage on Monday with the celebrations making headline news in all four corners of the globe.

At the Jane Austen House Museum in Chawton, TV crews from the BBC and Meridian rubbed shoulders during with broadcasters from CNN, Reuters and Al Jazeera, highlighting the bicentenary of what some have labelled the first 'chick lit'.

Having lived on the lower fringes of the landed gentry, Austen's realism and biting social commentary has gained her historical importance, almost unparalleled among scholars and critics.

According to marketing and events manager Madelaine Smith, the Austen family home was buzzing as cameramen, presenters and historians captured the environment in which Jane redrafted, sent off and received back, the final published version of the novel she is said to have described as "my own darling child".

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.