A Jane Austen aficionado is hoping to organise a day of celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the writer's death.

Tim Bornett, from Old Buckenham, wants to hold an event on July 18, two centuries after Austen died in 1817, following an illness which is thought to have been caused by tuberculosis.

Mr Bornett said: 'I wish to organise an event on the day to celebrate the considerable achievements of her thoughtful and penetrative novels of life in early 19th century England and how aspects are still salient today.'

Austen is widely regarded as one of the most influential English authors of the past 500 years.

Mr Bornett said: 'Please contact me if you are interested to help plan an action in the area of south Norfolk to celebrate such an author who died so young at 41 of a degenerative disease.'

Mr Bornett can be contacted by email at timbornett@btinternet.com or by calling 01953 860388.