THE story behind why the famous poet TS Eliot spent so much time in Chipping Campden is just one of the highlights of Chipping Campden Literature Festival.

The festival will run from Tuesday, May 5 to Sunday, May 10 and features appearances from Irish actress Nora Connolly, ex-Labour MP Denis MacShane and BBC World News producer Oggy Boytchev.

Vicky Bennett, festival organiser, said: "We have great book events at the 2015 Chipping Campden Literature Festival including the story behind why the famous poet TS Eliot spent so much time in the 1930s in Chipping Campden as told by the Oxford academic and biographer Lyndall Gordon.

"Also the Irish actress Nora Connolly reads extracts from Samuel Beckett’s extraordinary short story Echo’s Bones and talks about her controversial all-women production of Waiting for Godot, and ex Labour MP Denis MacShane talks about his memoir Prison Diaries.

"The BBC World News producer Oggy Boytchev describes his work in war zones with John Simpson.

"The Big Book Group author is a Richard and Judy favourite Patrick Gale with his latest novel A Place Called Winter.

"Other novelists include Roma Tearne and Maggie Gee."

At the festival on Festival Saturday, May 9, Chipping Campden School hosts a variety of events linked to the 800th anniversary celebration of the Magna Carta with founder of MORI polls into public opinion, Sir Robert Worcester. His ancestors came from Warwickshire and his interest in the Magna Carta began when, as an American, he went to gaze with awe at the British Library copy of the Charter.

There will also be a History Society display of Chipping Campden in 1215 including King John’s stay in the town for two nights only a few days after sealing the Magna Carta.

The highly acclaimed Cambridge historian Robert Tombs presents his extraordinary book The English and Their History and Lord Peter Hennessy talks about his essay on Establishment and Meritocracy and his thoughts on the United Kingdom before the Scottish referendum.

On Saturday evening, one of the nation’s favourite poets Roger McGough and LiTTLe MACHiNe, described by Carol Ann Duffy as “The most brilliant music and poetry band in the world”, entertain with passion, skill and humour.

For tickets and a full itinerary, log on to campdenlitfest.co.uk.

Tickets are available on the door but check the website for availability.