Basingstoke - A Place To Be Proud Of - is the slogan of a new campaign by Gazette Newspapers.

The newspaper is aiming to change people's perceptions of Basingstoke.

In a front page article editor Mark Jones called on readers to back the town and the borough which he says has been the butt of jokes and the target of ill-informed criticism and misconceptions for far too long.

Mark wrote: "The Gazette calls on the local community to join our campaign to change all that.

"As part of our campaign, we want to put the spotlight on the people, organisations and initiatives that make the town and borough a place to be proud of.

"We also want to highlight the areas where more can be done to make Basingstoke a better place - a place to be proud of."

Mark said Basingstoke had many things going for it, including an award-winning shopping centre, top arts venues, superbsports and leisure facilities, successful schools and colleges, and a top hospital which is the base for world-leading cancer experts.

The campaign has also featured on local television news and Gazette Newspapers has teamed up with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, the town's main Festival Place shopping centre and the Local Strategic Partnership to launch A Place to be Proud of Awards scheme.

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