Vouchers guaranteeing advance copies of a new definitive reference book on Brighton are going on sale as Christmas and New Year presents presents.
 
Customers will be able to buy a £20 voucher at any city library which will guarantee a copy of the new Encyclopaedia of Brighton, signed by authors Rose Collis and Tim Carder.
 
There will be a limited number of 500 vouchers available, meaning holders can get a copy before the official launch at the end of May 2010.
 
The book succeeds the first edition published in 1990 which went on to sell 7000 copies.  The new version is also A4 size but with a new colour cover and about a quarter thicker than the previous one which had roughly 250 pages.
 
The new tome also has lots of new pictures, top 10s, trivia, interesting facts, statistics and quotes
 
Customers will be asked to leave their contact details with library staff and they will be contacted when their copy is available for collection.
 
Cabinet councillor for culture David Smith said:
“The first edition was an absolutely fascinating mine of information.  We’re expecting quite heavy demand for the new one and the vouchers are a way of making it available as a really unusual Christmas present for all those people who are huge fans of the city.”
 
Brighton alone is covered in the book as there is already The Encyclopaedia of Hove and Portslade by Judy Middleton, available in some libraries and City Books.