ACCLAIMED author Mark Haddon, who set his best-selling book in Swindon, will be speaking in the town next year.

As reported in the Advertiser last week, organisers of the Swindon Festival of Literature were hoping to book Mr Haddon, whose book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time was a serious contender for the Booker Prize this year.

Festival organiser Matt Holland is delighted Mr Haddon has agreed to appear.

Mr Holland said: "He is in incredible demand at literature festivals but we have persuaded him.

"I am absolutely delighted although he's not a celebrity name, he is one of the hottest tickets on the literature circuit."

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is set in Swindon. It focuses on a young boy who sees the world in a particular skewed way. Although it is not stated explicitly, the youngster is thought to have a form of autism, possibly Asperger's syndrome.

Although Mr Haddon is a long-time Oxford resident, Swindon is lovingly described.

Mr Haddon is due to appear at the Arts Centre on May 5, although exact times are still to be confirmed.