Own Althorp House for 400 pounds

Tom Percival
BBC Northampton

The Northampton version of the board game Monopoly has been launched.

The game's been going since 1935 and has been sold in 37 different languages.

Northampton's game is the latest in a series of special editions of the game. Previous editions include ones for cities like Birmingham.

Players get the chance to buy a range of Northampton landmarks including the Lift tower, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Guildhall.

A budding writer

At the launch was 15 year-old Sophie Cardwell from Boothville. She won a writing competition explaining why she loved Northampton.

Sophie opened the launch by reading her poem which she was very proud of. "I'm really happy about the game, and my poem winning the competition" she says.

The board was launched at Althorp House, the home of the Spencer family, resting place of Diana Princess of Wales, and the property occupying Mayfair's slot in the game.

Clare Roberts the House Manager at Althorp is really excited.

"I think Northamptonshire is a bit of an unknown gem. It has a lot of history; Althorp particularly - it's been here for 502 years now. To be on the same board as Franklin's Gardens and the Northampton Lift tower is quite extreme!" says Clare.

The game is being manufactured, under licence, by Winning Moves. Their Commercial Director Mark Marriott was also at Althorp for the launch. He's pleased the final product reflects people's enthusiasm for the area.

"I think it confirms what we always thought about Northampton. People wanted a game of Monopoly and now we've put it together for them we can see why. It's a great town with a lot to shout about" says Mark.