Jane Austen fans enjoy afternoon tea in regency attire

Afternoon tea was enjoyed at Parade House in Trowbridge

Fans of one of England's most celebrated novelists have taken to the streets dressed in regency attire, to pay homage to their literary hero.

The annual Jane Austen Festival in Bath runs until 22 September. Around 3,500 people are expected to attend over the 10-day event.

More than 100 people, dressed in period clothing, lined the platform at Bath Spa station to board a train to Trowbridge.

There, they enjoyed a guided tour of Wiltshire's Georgian buildings in the Heritage Quarter, before sitting down for afternoon tea at the historic Parade House.

Pastel parasols were an essential on a sunny September day

Jane Austen's novels, set amid the English middle and upper classes, are famous for their social observation and witty insights into the lives of early 19th century women.

Her plots often explore women's dependence on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

Her most notable works include Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Persuasion and Northanger Abbey (both 1817).

Festival attendees lined the platform at Bath Spa Station

The first Jane Austen Festival in 2001 took place over one weekend at The Jane Austen Centre in Bath, and has since grown into a 10-day programme.

The festival is usually based in Bath but last year the organisers wanted to expand the popular event to the wider region.

Guests enjoyed regency parlour games following their afternoon tea

Guests enjoyed an afternoon tea with champagne at the Grade I Listed Parade House, before playing regency parlour games in the first floor ballroom.

Parade House was built for a wealthy clothier in 1720 and has been restored to its former glory by its current owners, boasting its original features, a selection of antiques, and a grand sweeping staircase.

It is thought that the novelist herself would stop off at the venue on her journeys from Hampshire to Bath.

Guests were welcomed to Parade House by Trowbridge town crier, Trevor Heeks

The event holds the Guinness World Record for the "largest gathering of people dressed in regency costumes".

Full of bonnets, soldiers, and drummers, the backdrop of Georgian Bath transports visitors back to the time of Jane Austen.