PRIZE-WINNING poets, broadcasters and authors are heading to the city for the first poetry festival at Sarum College.

With its theme of Believing in Poetry, the programme includes prize-winning poet and broadcaster Michael Symmons-Roberts; Paul Kerenza, comedian and writer for BBC1’s Miranda and Not Going Out; and author Rachel Mann, whose latest book reflects on faith and myth in remembrance rituals.

The poetry festival runs on May 5 and 6.

Jenny Monds, organiser on behalf of Sarum College, said: “Salisbury is an ideal place to hold a festival that links poetry and faith.

“The city’s impressive literary heritage includes the famous seventeenth-century devotional poet George Herbert, who was ordained in Salisbury Cathedral and served as rector of Bemerton at the end of his life.”

In addition to readings and sessions on poetry, there will be a gala reception featuring Salisbury harpist Katie Salomon, and a candlelight poetry session in Sarum’s Victorian chapel.

The full programme and tickets, which include lunches using local ingredients, are available at churchtimespoetry.hymnsam.co.uk