5th Althorp Literary Festival - 13-15 June 2008

Althorp in Northamptonshire is 500 years old this year, and to celebrate, there is an especially strong line-up at the annual literary festival. Opening the festival on 13 June is Clarissa Dickson-Wright, 'spilling the beans' over wine and canapés (£20). On Saturday 14 (12.30pm), Allan Mallinson talks about his latest military novel, 'Warrior', set in 1828. Justine Picardie explains how the lives of Branwell Brontë and Daphne du Maurier entwine in her novel 'Daphne' (2.45pm). In a special event for children (8+), Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell discuss their wildly successful series 'The Edge Chronicles' (2.45pm, £5). Miranda Seymour talks about her memoir, 'In My Father's House' (4.15pm), and Julian Clary discusses his debut novel, 'Murder Most Fab' at 5.45pm.

On Sunday 15, Andrew Motion talks about poetry and his touching memoir 'In the Blood' (11am), while Helen Dunmore (left) shares the love of Catullus which inspired her novel 'Counting the Stars' (12.30pm). Booker-winner Ben Okri (far left) talks about his extraordinary new novel, 'Starbook' (2.45pm) and Charles Spencer outlines the history of Althorp and the Spencer family at 4.15pm.

Tickets to events cost £10, except where stated. For further details, or to book tickets, please visit www.althorp.com or call 01604 770107.