A LITERATURE Festival appearance by the author of a Whitbread Prize-winning novel set in Swindon has had to be moved to a larger venue.

The box office of the Arts Centre was swamped with inquiries about Mark Haddon, a star attraction at the 11th Swindon Festival of Literature.

He is the author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, which tells the story of a 15-year-old Swindon boy with an autism-related condition who investigates the killing of a neighbour's dog.

There have been so many inquiries that festival director Matt Holland has decided to move Mr Haddon's May 5 appearance from the 208-seat Arts Centre in Old Town to the 400-seat main hall at Swindon College in Regent Circus.

Mr Holland said: "We are grateful to the college and the Arts Centre, and want to give as many people as possible the chance to see this author."

Mr Haddon is not the only festival celebrity whose Arts Centre tickets are selling well.

Others include:

l Controversial poet Benjamin Zephaniah, who last year drew condemnation and admiration in equal measure when he refused to be made an OBE, saying the award was an irrelevant throwback to the days of British imperialism.

l Irish comedian and novelist Sean Hughes.

l Veteran comedy writer and television presenter Barry Cryer.

l Broadcaster, author and intellectual Joan Bakewell.

The festival programme is not due for release until March 18, but the early sales bonanza has come because festival events at the Arts Centre are mentioned in the Devizes Road venue's newly released spring programme.

Mr Holland said: "I never automatically think any festival is going to be the best yet, but this one is certainly looking promising.

"All the festival followers seem determined to book their places early. Ticket sales are going crazy but crazy in a nice way."

The festival is due to run for the first fortnight of May.

Mr Holland is currently trying to find room in a programme of more than 50 events for a Radio 4 broadcast.

The national BBC station wants to broadcast its With Great Pleasure programme from the festival.

On the show, celebrities talk about their favourite passages from literature, which are then read or recited by actors.

Mr Holland also revealed that he had received a request from veteran broadcaster Jimmy Young, who has just completed an autobiography, to appear at the festival.

Mr Holland said: "Again, it is a matter of space. We are trying to work him into the programme, but it is 50-50 at the moment.

"It seems that everybody wants to be part of the festival and everybody wants to see it.

"The only advice I can give people is that they should book as early as possible."

Other celebrities lined up for the festival include Australian broadcaster Clive James, BBC Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time panellist Bob Flowerdew and environmentalist Jonathan Porritt.

The Arts Centre can be contacted on 01793 614837, and ticket inquiries for Mr Haddon's appearance should still be made on this number.

Barrie Hudson