MORE literary stars have been lined up for the Swindon Festival of Literature's 10th anniversary.

The town's largest festival yet, taking place in May, will feature 50 events with speakers including former politician Edwina Currie, quizmaster Magnus Magnusson and Booker prize-winner Ben Okri.

When the festival started a decade ago it was a four-day event to mark the 100th anniversary of Swindon Chamber of Commerce. This year it stretches from May 1 to 17, making it the longest event of its kind in the country.

Organiser Matt Holland said: "Since we started it we haven't looked back.One publisher recently told me that we are considered to be among the top five literary festivals in the country .

"It's always hard to persuade publishers to come here, but authors themselves seem to enjoy coming to less fashionable places.

"Melvyn Bragg said a few years ago that coming to Swindon was like coming down to Earth."

Former health secretary Edwina Currie will be among the biggest names at this year's event, coming to promote the memoirs which revealed last year that she had a long affair with John Major.

A festival first will be a visit from Jasper Fforde who has written two fantasy detective novels based in Swindon.

The 40-year-old former film cameraman briefly lived in the town and chose to set his two books, published in 2001 and 2001, in Swindon.

Other big names confirmed today by festival organisers are poet laureate Andrew Motion, agony aunt Claire Raynor, stand-up comic Mark Thomas and intrepid BBC foreign correspondent Kate Adie.

The festival will also feature a special children's day for the first time with talks, performances and workshops at the Steam Museum.

The full Swindon Festival of Literature 2003 programme will be launched on Thursday, March 20.