Celebrities to take to stage at literary festival

Alison Steadman will be on stage talking about her life

One of Kent's largest literary festivals gets under way on Friday.

Faversham Literary Festival offers a week-long "eclectic range of speakers and events", its organisers said.

Actress Alison Steadman, who plays Pam in Gavin and Stacey, will be on stage in talking about her life and career to tie in with her autobiography.

Other well-known authors visiting the Kent market town include Michael Rosen, actress Dame Harriet Walter, designer Dame Zandra Rhodes and Paralympian Jonnie Peacock.

The annual festival, which began in 2018, offers an "exciting mix of well-known authors, leading thinkers, up-and-coming writers, and local talent".

As well as guest talks it features writing competitions, workshops, slam poetry and children's events.

A spokesperson said: "The quality and scope of the programme is what gets us excited and makes it a festival that people want to come to."

The festival runs over nine days at various venues around the town until 2 March.