THE programme for this year’s Penfro book festival has just been announced, boasting a line-up of literary luminaries.

The annual festival, which runs from September 11 to 13 at Rhosygilwen, has Exotic Marigold Hotel author Deborah Moggach as the star draw on the Saturday night talking about her experiences of getting a book onto the big screen.

The festival kicks off with local girl Steph Davies talking about her absorbing project from Wales to Patagonia on the Friday night – perfect timing with the 150th anniversary taking place this year.

There will be the usual popular workshops, award-winning writers talking about their work and talks given by a variety of authors on their work ranging from the Carmarthenshire murder mystery at the Star stores to Pembrokeshire at war and poetry and paint.

A new innovation this year is the Sunday literary lunch where ticket holders can enjoy a delicious Rhosygilwen lunch and be entertained by guest speaker and top poet Jo Bell.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for the lunch and all the events (excluding Saturday workshops) and a cost of £35. And a reminder that entries for the poetry competition (which this year includes a memoir category close on July 31.

For more details look at the website www.penfrobookfestival.org.uk