The First World War, as told in surviving postcards from the time, is the subject of a new exhibition at Romsey Heritage Centre.

The exhibition was launched to coincide with Remembrance Day commemorations, but will remain on display throughout the winter.

Heritage Centre general manager Anne James said: "The postcards are just a small part of one local man's personal collection, but cover an amazing range of aspects and sentiments, and give a unique insight into this period of history.

"One of the most interesting series is a set of six French postcards which show supposed German atrocities, and when the cards are placed together a portrait of the Kaiser appears."

Also on display is a British bayonet and bandoleer, a model of a six-horse 18lb field gun, a range of medals and badges, original British army maps, cigarette cards, a first edition of Siegfried Sassoon, and

battlefield relics including a 1916 German helmet.

Mrs James said: "The Victorian Heritage Centre on the site of Moody's gun shop is an appropriate setting for the exhibition as the original owner, Charles Moody, lost his son Timothy in action during the First World War. The Heritage Centre has some very evocative letters describing conditions at the front by friends of the family.

"After the war, Mr Moody was one of the campaigners for the establishment of Romsey's park as a memorial to those that died, and his son's name is inscribed on the stone memorial there."

Mrs James is keen to hear from anyone else with a collection they would like to display at the centre in Church Street.