Critics slam Austen statue at cathedral

SHE is commonly associated with the city of Bath, which she glamorised and mocked in equal measure in her famous novels.

- Jaymi McCann

So plans to install a statue of Jane Austen at Winchester Cathedral have been criticised as a “desperate” bid to boost local tourism.

Critics say the statue is not “appropriate” within the 17th-century Inner Close and will turn the religious building into “Disneyland”, where American tourists pose for selfies with a likeness of the Pride and Prejudice writer.

The cathedral has submitted a planning application to erect a statue by sculptor Martin Jennings within its grounds to celebrate 250 years since her birth.