SWINDON LITERARY FESTIVAL REVIEW: VETERAN radio presenter and novelist Libby Purves met a large and appreciative audience when she appeared at the Arts Centre.

Ms Purves, who now presents Radio 4's Midweek talk show, spoke with affection of her early fascination with the magic of radio from her early unsuccessful experience of trying to construct a transistor radio as a seven year old to her presenting role on Midweek that has made her a household name.

Weaving excerpts from her biography Radio: a true love story with personal anecdotes, she charted her progression after leaving Oxford University.

She attempted to explain the continued appeal of radio, which survives despite competition from television.

"The advantage of radio is that it can double the value of your life. While you are doing the mundane things that we all have to do, you can be learning about the use of urine in 19th century cotton production. It is wonderful like that."

During the question and answer session, she was asked how she managed to find the time to write.

"Firstly I do not do a single bit of housework. And secondly I don't spend time worrying about how I look. You would be surprised how much time it can save."

By Ben Fitzgerald