Ledbury Poetry Festival 2010: Poet Laureate's choice

The street part that closes the Festival on Sunday, 11 July

Ledbury Poetry Festival 2010 has two icons of American poetry appearing at this year's event.

Billy Collins, a former American Poet Laureate, is to be Festival Poet in Residence, and is holding poetry workshops and judging the adult poetry contest.

Michael McClure will open the festival, a rare chance to hear a hero of the Beat Generation.

The festival runs from Friday, 2 until Sunday, 11 July.

Other artists appearing in this year's festival include:

• Christopher Reid: His collection of poems, The Scattering, about his wife's illness, death and the aftermath of grief, won the 2009 Costa book of the Year Award.
• Don Paterson: Winner of the 2009 Forward Prize for best collection of poetry.
• Siobhan Davies: This innovative choreographer has been commissioned to produce a special work for the festival.
• Roger Lloyd Pack and Jennie Stoller: These two actors are performing many of the Shakespeare's famous duologues and sonnets.

Ledbury Poetry Festival website