William HagueFORMER Tory leader William Hague and Glastonbury Festival founder Michael Eavis are the latest names confirmed for the Swindon Festival of Literature.

The festival, which is now in its 12th year is taking place over 15 days from May 1 to 15.

Big celebrity names including comedian Julian Clary, whose parents live in Swindon, and Dom Joly of Trigger Happy TV fame have already signed up to attend the festival as have many other established names from politics, entertainment and television.

Mr Hague, the Conservative Party leader before Iain Duncan-Smith and MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire will be talking about his life in politics, as will fellow Conservative MP John Redwood, who stood against John Major for the leadership of the Tory party in the 1990s.

Mr Eavis, who has run the world-famous Glastonbury Music Festival since the 1970s will be talking about a book about the event called Glastonbury Festival Tales.

Also confirmed is Clare Short who resigned from government over the invasion of Iraq and BBC news correspondent Fergal Keane who has recently reported from the troubles in Sudan.

Other visitors include controversial columnist and former Daily Telegraph and the Evening Standard editor Max Hastings and Channel 4 news presenter Jon Snow.

Former BBC news presenter Michael Buerk and impressionist Alistair McGowan are also booked to appear.

Festival director Matt Holland said: "I am particularly excited about having Michael Eavis at the event, it will be the first literature festival he has attended anywhere.

"The festival's profile and reputation continue to grow. Each year it attracts bigger names and a larger following. At every level it has become a fantastic celebration for Swindon of things well written and things well said."

The festival will begin in Lawn Woods, Old Town, at an eye-rubbingly early 5.30am on Sunday, May 1 with a Dawn Chorus where the early birds of literature gather for poetry, song, storytelling and a hot breakfast.

There will also be the seventh Clive Brain Memorial Lecture, named after the principal of Swindon College who died in the Southall train crash.

Verse returns with the eighth Poems and Pints and the Poetry Slam competition, while there will also be a Youth Poetry Slam for Swindon Schools.

The talks, readings and discussions will be held at venues across Swindon and programme of events will be available from March 17.

Tickets are not yet available.

For more details visit swindonfestivalof literature. co.uk or email swindonlitfest@ lowershawfarm.co.uk or phone 01793 771080.

Who's coming

Julian Clary

Dom Joly

Clare Short

William Hague

John Redwood

Fergal Keene

Helena Kennedy

Max Hastings

Jane Owen

Jon Snow

Katie Fforde

Alistair McGowan

Professor Steven Rose

Simon Hoggart

Michael Buerk

Michael Eavis

Anne Michaels

John Berger

David Baddiel

Xinran

Guy Browning

Anthony Osborne