Top authors lined up for Wells

Lord Ashdown will close the festival on 30 October

High profile authors including Lord Ashdown and John Carey are all set to attend Wells Festival of Literature.

The event, which takes place from 16 to 30 October, will feature author talks, workshops, readings and competitions.

Held at venues including Bishop's Palace and St Cuthbert's Church, local book groups will see award-winning author Helen Dunmore get involved

The festival, which is in its 18th year and organised by volunteers, aims to encourage more people to read.

Past speakers have included John Le Carré, Douglas Hurd, Melvyn Bragg, Ian Rankin, Mark Urban and Libby Purves.

Emeritus Professor John Carey is the opening speaker on Friday 16th October with his tribute to the Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding. Lord Paddy Ashdown, former diplomat and Liberal Democrat leader, will close the festival on Friday 30th October with a talk based on his autobiography, A Fortunate Life.

Marina Lewycka, author of A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, will introduce her latest novel, We are All Made of Glue, and Jennie Rooney will talk about her critically acclaimed debut novel, Inside the Whale.

You can find out more details on who is speaking on the festival's website .