WINCHESTER Cathedral is hosting a series of specialist tours.

They sprang from the success of tours in the summer organised to coincide with the 450th commemoration of the marriage of Mary Tudor to Phillip II of Spain.

Colin Rogers, chairman of the voluntary guides, said: "We were all delighted that the Tudor tour proved to be so popular. It is great to see so many people coming to the Cathedral and to see them enjoying discovering more about its different aspects."

The tours, which cost £4.50 per person, are being held on Wednesday afternoons: November 24, 2.30pm - Medieval Times; December 1, 2.30pm - Behind the Military Memorials; December 8, 2.30pm - Craftsmen and Artists; December 15, 2pm - Jane Austen: Her Life and Family; Jan-uary 12, 2.30pm - Tudor Tour; January 26, 2pm - Lights on the World (stained glass); February 2, 2.30pm - Mothers' Union Tour; February 16, 2.30pm - Architectural Odyssey.

In addition, the cathedral is offering an unusual opportunity for visitors to see the city's Christmas lights from the top of the cathedral tower.

The Twilight Tower Tour will be running on six occasions throughout December. The tour includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie in the cafe. The cost is £10 per person.