THE Godolphin Literary Festival 2017 has announced its line-up which once again brings a host of well-known writers to Salisbury for audiences of all ages.

The internationally-renowned novelist Tracy Chevalier will lead the bill talking about her writing and latest book, New Boy, as well as her bestselling novel, Girl with a Pearl Earring, which was made into a film starring Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.

Celebrity interviewer and magazine editor Giles Hattersley will talk about the intriguing world of modern-day Fleet Street and the reality of meeting the stars - his own stellar career has been spent in magazines and on the Sunday Times.

The comedy-writers responsible for the ever-growing list of Ladybird Books – The Shed, The Mother, The Mid-Life Crisis - Joel Morris and Jason Hazeley, will amuse with the tale of how their parodies came into being. They have written extensively as a team for radio, TV and their work includes Miranda and Paddington.

Pupils from across Salisbury will be visiting Godolphin for a full schools’ programme including talks by children’s authors Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Waterstones 2017 Children’s Book Prize winner, and Moira Young, winner of the Costa Children’s Book Prize.

Other authors attending include Marion Molteno, Sarah Govett and award winning-illustrator Jennie Maizels.

Visiting schools will get the chance to try out their own skills in a writing workshop with Godolphin English teacher and published author, Tamar Hodes.

Godolphin head teacher Emma Hattersley said: “I hope you will be inspired by the diverse selection of writers we have lined up for you this year and that these authors will encourage students of all ages to discover a love of reading.”

Waterstones are running book signings after all the talks.

Godolphin Literary Festival runs from October 9 to 10. To book online visit ticketsource.co.uk/godolphinliteraryfestival or call 01722 430630.