Jasper Fforde Picture Ref: 23791-40SWINDON...AND PROUD OF IT: FANS of the novels of Jasper Fforde are in for a week-long treat.

The author will be coming to Swindon for the Fforde Festival in September.

And he says he is right behind the Adver's Swindon And Proud Of It campaign.

The special convention is to celebrate his novels, which feature the Swindon-based fictional literary detective, Thursday Next.

The books include descriptions of landmarks in Swindon and nearby.

The festival will include a world croquet match, an open-top guided bus tour of the key places in Swindon mentioned in the books, competitions and quizzes, and a character fancy-dress party.

The author will also be giving a reading of an exclusive piece of work written specially for the festival.

Although he lives in Herefordshire, Jasper Fforde set the novels in Swindon after working here for three weeks in 1982 as an assistant on the film Champions about jockey Bob Champion.

His relationship with the town became more intimate in 1990s when he lived in Marlborough.

He said: "Four of my books are set in Swindon. A group of dedicated readers got together and wanted to have a festival, and make a bit of a party.

"I think it's a wonderful idea and it should be a lot of fun.

"I'm especially looking forward to a very strange menu for dinner, including food mentioned in the book such as apples benedict, which is like eggs benedict but with apples instead of eggs.

"It's all very anarchic. It's great that people have taken my books to heart.

"I'm really looking forward to having two or three hundred people together in one room, all with the same quirky, silly sense of humour.

"A good time is guaranteed."

He is throwing his weight behind the Adver's initiative to boost pride in town.

He said: "This campaign is a great idea and I'm delighted to back it.

"I think Swindon people do take great pride in their town and they should.

"There's nothing like someone saying it's bad to bring people together and I think that's what's happening.

"You only hear bad things from people who don't live in Swindon or have never been there."

Both his sons Jordan, 14, and Alex, 10, were born at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

He said: "Swindon is a very dynamic place where anything can happen, and does.

"Criticising it is just too much of a cheap laugh. The same thing happens to places like Ipswich, Slough and Harlow.

"But I have a long-lasting affection for Swindon. And I am a big Brunel fan."

Sarah Courtney-Green, event manager, said tickets for the festival were selling well.

"We've sold a number of tickets already, and we've sold quite a few to people in America. Swindon might not normally be on the tourist route for Americans but I'm sure they won't be disappointed.

"The festival is about fun but it will also show that the town is not just the butt of media jokes, it can be diverse and ready to party."

The event takes place on September 16 and 17.

The organisers are also looking for volunteers to help out at the event.

For more information telephone 01793 655922 or visit www.jasperfforde.com

Dave Andrew