LITERARY lovers can visit Witney at the weekend for a new book festival.

Witney Book Festival will run from Friday to Sunday and feature workshops, signings, readings and talks.

There will be 25 authors taking part, including Midsomer Murders creator Caroline Graham, Aberystwyth author Malcolm Pryce and Dark Angels writer Katherine Langrish.

Organiser Sarah Myatt said: “I love books, have always wanted to write one and love meeting authors and hearing about the ideas behind their books.

“Reading breaks through so many barriers — age, ethnicity, gender. Books educate, inform and give guidance, and can also bring much pleasure, comfort and joy.

“Even in a recession, books can be picked up cheaply at charity shops or car boot sales, and borrowed from our local libraries, or shared or swapped with friends for free.

“Having started two book groups and seen how much enthusiasm there is here, I thought it would be a great idea to organise a festival in Witney.”

Festival highlights include a discussion with Caroline Graham at Langdale Hall, Langdale Gate, on Friday at 2pm, and an interview with Malcolm Pryce at the Corn Exchange, Market Square, on Friday at 7pm.

To get youngster interested in the book festival, five Witney primary schools were invited to take part in a writing competition.

A total of 170 pupils entered and their work was judged by author Juliet McKenna .

She will be holding a creative writing workshop at The Fleece, Church Green, on Sunday at 11am.

Romance novelist Nicola Cornick, said: “I was really, really thrilled when they invited me to take part. With it being the first Witney Book Festival, it feels nice to be part of the start of something.”

Many of the events at the festival are free. Any profits will go to charities promoting literacy in the third world.

There are more details at witneybookfestival. wordpress.com.