A new booklet giving an introduction to the life and work of writer Thomas Paine has been launched by Diss Museum. 2009 is the bi-centenary of the death of Paine, who worked as a staymaker in Diss for a spell in the 1760s.

A new booklet giving an introduction to the life and work of writer Thomas Paine has been launched by Diss Museum.

2009 is the bi-centenary of the death of Paine, who worked as a staymaker in Diss for a spell in the 1760s. His Common Sense, Rights of Man and The Age of Reason were the three best-selling works of the 18th century.

The museum will lead commemorative events, starting with the visit of comedian Mark Steel to Diss Corn Hall on Friday, November 7, and continuing until June 2009.

Compiled by museum manager Basil Abbott and designed by Julie Bunting Dixon, the booklet is funded by Leader+, Cittaslow, the Friends of Diss Museum and Thetford Society's Tom Paine committee. It will be available from Diss museum, Diss Cittaslow Centre, the town's tourist information centre and at the forthcoming events.