Ref. 29594-53THE programme for what promises to be the greatest Swindon Festival of Literature yet has been launched.

Mayor Derek Benfield headed a list of local VIPs who assembled at Waterstone's in the Brunel Centre for yesterday's ceremony.

This year's festival, the 11th, will run from Saturday, May 1, to Satur-day, May 15.

Director Matt Holland said: "We had such a big festival last year that I was looking forward to a slightly scaled down version this year, so people wouldn't have festival fatigue.

"But it looks as though it is going to be a marathon this year, so people had better be fit!"

Authors booked to appear this year include:

l Poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who was praised by some and condemned by others when he refused last year to be made an OBE, saying it was a holdover from the days of British imperialism. His performance at the Arts Centre on the first day of the festival is almost sold out.

l Whitbread Prize-winning author Mark Haddon, whose The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is set in Swindon and tells the story of a boy who solves a gruesome mystery in spite of or perhaps because of suffering an autism-related condition. Mr Haddon's appearance at the Swindon College on Wednesday, May 5, is also almost sold out.

l Environmentalist Jonathon Porritt and gardening pundit Bob Flowerdew, who are both appearing at the Arts Centre on May 14.

There will also be a wealth of community events ranging from poetry readings to appearances at schools.

The mayor told those assembled for yesterday's launch: "The festival contains something for all ages, and its growing reputation helps to put Swindon on the national cultural map.

"Tell your friends and your family and your colleagues to come."

Other local organisations backing the festival include the University of Bath in Swindon, the council, Swindon Artscape and the Evening Advertiser.

The launch was signed for deaf participants, courtesy of Swindon-based Sign Lingual Limited.

The firm will provide a signer for Mark Haddon's appearance, making it the first event of its kind in the festival's history.

Sign language tutor Simon Huggins said: "Because of this, deaf people will be able to go."

Mr Huggins said the organisation welcomed applications from student interpreters. Details are available at www.signlingual.co.uk.

Copies of the festival programme are available at Waterstone's and at libraries and public buildings across the borough. The festival's website is at www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

Barrie Hudson