A parish which claims to have one of the largest village history collections in Hampshire is planning its own museum.

Dr Robert Parr, who heads the history group at Broughton said the dedicated museum room in the village hall should open later this year.

"The village has a huge archive now - one of the biggest in the county," he said. "We get a lot of people looking for family members and information about the area - people from Australia, New Zealand, all over.

"We're not on the internet, but we get a tremendous amount of letters."

The collection, which was started in 1979, includes photographs dating to 1856, press cuttings, parish magazines from 1869, maps of the area and taped conversations with villagers.

Family historians have also handed over their research to the group, including handwritten copies of church registers from 1639 and copied censuses from 1841 to 1901.

Dr Parr has also written a book, The Hampshire Broughton, detailing the development of the village from the moment the Saxons sailed up the River Test.

For more information about the group or book, ring Dr Parr on 01794-301401.