BASINGSTOKE Shopping Centre is 50-years-old this month.

On Tuesday, 12 November 1968, the mayor of Basingstoke Councillor JF Balding cut the ribbon to officially open Basingstoke Town Centre (Phase 1).

Thousands queued at the entrance to catch a first glimpse of the new centre. Major stores had moved from the top of town into new shop units including WHSmith and Boots.

Here are a selection of adverts and pictures from the launch in 1968.