ONE of the most respected and controversial poets in Britain set the scene for what looks set to be the most impressive Swindon literature festival yet.

Benjamin Zephaniah wowed a full house at the Arts Centre on Saturday after having hot-footed it from Birmingham where Betty Boothroyd had presented him with an honorary doctorate.

The performance poet, famous for rejecting an OBE, has been touring the world with the British Council, but seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself on a Swindon stage.

He said: "The thing about literature festivals like this is the people who feel really passionately about it.

"It's that kind of person who keeps it going."

He could have been talking about festival organiser Matt Holland who was jubilant at the end of the first day of the 11th Swindon festival.

Matt said: "It's been absolutely fantastic from the moment when the choir sang at the break of dawn on Saturday until the moment a poet, after having talked about really tricky things, told us all not to worry and be happy."

And people wanting to make it as big as Benjamin attended a writing day and a half at Lower Shaw Farm on Sunday and Monday.

Two experienced authors Matt Harvey and Ann-Marie Fyfe gave guidance and advice to participants.

Other events over the bank holiday weekend included story-telling sessions by France Elull at Twigs Roundhouse at the Manor Garden Centre, Cheney Manor.

Bhavani Vadde