ONE of the world’s most famous board games has revealed plans for a new version for a Hampshire city.

Plans for a Winchester version of the board game Monopoly, which was first created in 1935, were announced at 10am today at King Alfred’s statue.

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

The firm behind the Winchester Monopoly, Winning Moves UK, have said that there will be a square on the board for the Daily Echo's sister newspaper, 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.

“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.”

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.”

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 author who was buried at Winchester Cathedral 200 years ago this July.

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 close at 23.59pm on 31st March.

A Southampton version of the game is already available.