BOOKWORMS are in for a treat on Friday as the box office finally opens for this year’s Marlborough festival of literature.

This year’s LitFest is set to be one of the biggest yet with such names as Will Self, David Mitchell and Francesca Simon on the bill.

Jan Williamson, chair of the Marlborough LitFest, said: “I am really excited about this year’s festival, I think it’s going to be brilliant.

“It’s really quite a diverse selection this year – there is something for everybody. From a discussion about the Russian Revolution to the life of Jane Austin, we are thrilled to have so much going on.

“It’s a real buzz to see it come together after so much preparation and I’m sure everybody will enjoy it.”

The festival, now in its 8th year, will run from September 28 to October 1.

This year offers more than 30 different spectacles, including excerpts of fiction and non-fiction, poetry, children’s events and the annual Big Town Read.

Themes covered include Russian history, politics, humour, short stories, crime, food history with Queen Victoria and prize-winning fiction.

This year’s Golding Speaker is bestselling novelist and television personality Will Self, who will also be opening the festival.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner OBE will be talking about his latest fictional thriller and performance poet Kayo Chingonyi will be performing with a dancer.

Jan said: “We are very excited to have such big names join us, especially the likes of Will Self and Kayo Chingonyi.”

There will also be prizewinning fiction from young author Gwendoline Riley as well as short stories from bestselling author of Cloud Atlas, David Mitchell.

Tickets and programme catalogues are available from The White Horse Bookshop, Marlborough High Street, Tel: 01672 704001 or Pound Arts Tel: 01249 701628 / 01249 712618 www.poundarts.org.uk.