Ref. 25415-21All is set for Swindon's annual Festival of Literature which has become one of the top cultural events in the country. TOM MORTON previews the programme of events

THE big names are booked in and there are only days before Swindon's 11th literature festival kicks off.

Swindon may not appear to outsiders as a cultural hotspot, but the festival has established itself as a serious part of the literary world's year.

It may not quite have the cachet of Edinburgh or Hay-on-Wye but this year's line -up proves that big names of literature take Swin-don seriously.

And that has delighted organiser Matt Holland, who has already seen two events Mark Haddon and Benjamin Zephaniah sell out.

Tickets for many others are going fast.

Mr Holland, of Lower Shaw Farm, said: "I am excited by the prospect of this festival, possibly even more so than in the past.

"A publisher said to me recently that Swindon is now in the top five of literature festivals and that is an amazing thought.

"We certainly don't have to explain who we are any more." This year's festival starts on Saturday with the dawn chorus at the Lawn woods, which starts at 5.30am.

As the sun rises, the festival's opening will be marked by performers, song and maypole dancing.

Then follows two weeks of talks ranging from the well-known, such as Clive James, to those whose work may be more famous than their name, such as American Elizabeth George, creator of the Inspector Lynley thrillers. Then there are those noted for their fresh ideas.

Among the programme's highlights are Marcus du Sautoy speaking on prime numbers, Andrew Wilson's thoughts on how text messages are reshaping our language, and Simon Jenkins' talk on England's finest houses, inside Swindon's own stately home Lydiard House.

Mr Holland said: "I've been told it was a mistake to book a mathematician but tickets are selling well and it's good we have become a festival of ideas.

"I think the reason we have scored is because we are not just for novelists and poets, although they are our lifeblood."

Swindon's Literature Festival has also proved it's a cut above many others by acquiring a fringe.

The Edinburgh Festival is now more famous for its fringe festival which features comedy, drama and other performance than its core festival, and organisers of Swindon's fringe hope this year will be the start of something special for Swindon.

Cult author Jasper Fforde, whose tongue-in-cheek sci-fi detective novels are set in Swindon, will appear at the Beehive pub on Thursday, May 6 at 9pm.

Also, poet Martin Newell will appear at the Beehive in Prospect Hill when the fringe is launched on Tuesday, May 4 at 8pm.

Peter Green, one of the fringe co-ordinators, said: "You've only got to look at Edinburgh to see how great a fringe festival can become. The Swindon Festival of Literature has grown up and become a national event, and we thought it was about time we introduced something a bit subversive."

To find out more about the fringe call 01793 523187.

Tom Morton