THE programme for this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival was formally launched at an event at the town's Market House last Friday.

Around 50 helpers and friends gathered for the event and organisers also benefited from ten new volunteers stepping forward.

Festival manager Dr Charles Bennett said: "It was a very successful evening. People had a great time, which is important, and some new people came on board.

"It was our way of saying thank you to everyone who helps."

The festival runs from Thursday, June 28 to Sunday, July 8 and the first event, at the Market House, will be a talk by former Arts Minister Lord Gowrie, an expert on American poetry. He is followed at the Community Centre by Paul Muldoon who will be reading from his Poems 1968-1998.

The festival will bring together 70 events in 16 different venues, including St Michael and All Angels' Church, the Burgage Hall and Hellens at Much Marcle.

Other early highlights include Clive James in conversation with broadcaster and critic Francine Stock, Matthew Sweeney on his new work A Smell of Fish, impressionist Alistair McGowan and the Town Party.

Laurie Lee's biographer, Valerie Grove, will talk about the Cider with Rosie author, while Tim Heath will read from John Betjeman's classic Summoned by Bells and poet-in-residence Ruth Padel will lead workshops and read from her own work.

There are also several themed walks to enjoy - the John Masefield Walk on June 30 and Dymock Poets Walk on July 7 - as well as creative writing workshops in 11 schools and a Poetry Slam at Ledbury Community Centre, providing a platform for budding performance poets. Copies of the brochure will shortly be appearing in libraries and tourist information centres and are also available on 01531 634156. The ticket line is on 0845 458 1743. Details are also available on www.poetry-festival.com