AVID readers will be able to enjoy a two week celebration of the written word at the Purbeck Literary Festival next month.

The event, now in its third year, will see hundreds of people meet local authors and publishers and attend readings, workshops and other activities.

A pre-festival children’s launch will see Dorset storyteller Martin Maudsley entertain youngsters with magical tales of castles and kings at Corfe Castle visitor centre.

The festival programme will then feature top-selling author Jill Mansell, explorer and author Jason Lewis and Sunny Ormonde, who plays Lilian Bellamy in Radio 4’s The Archers.

Festival founder Emma Fernandez explained what else visitors could expect see at this year’s event.

“Our launch day is dedicated to independent authors. You can meet local authors and publishers, learn what makes them successful and buy their books. The event runs from 1-5.30pm at Harman’s Cross village hall.

“Then get all the Ambridge gossip when Sunny Ormonde comes to Durlston. You don’t have to be an Archers fan to enjoy her fabulous cabaret. Or enjoy a bubbly brunch with author Jill Mansell at the Grand Hotel in Swanage.”

Successful writers Sue Moorcroft and Nicky Moor will share their tips on writing and selling a novel, and locally-based journalist Emma Lee-Potter will give visitors an insight into her international career.

There will also be poetry, film, screenwriting, guided walks, comedy and a musical evening across venues in Purbeck.

Sunny said she would be presenting her "one woman show", which she has toured around the country for the last two and a half years.

"It's a pot-pourri of pieces hung on the character I play in The Archers - a gin-swigging, man-hunting woman who says all the things we'd like to say but daren’t.

"The audience will get to meet me and Lilian. I'm a farmer's daughter myself and I take the audience through the journey of my life with various anecdotes."

She added: "I've created it so you don't have to be an Archers listener to enjoy it, but there will be a prize for the person who asks the most original question about the show."

Tickets for festival events are available from the Swanage Tourist Information Centre and the Discover Purbeck Information Centre.

The Purbeck Literacy Festival 2016 is scheduled to take place from Saturday, February 14, until Saturday 27.

Visit the website purbeckliteracyfestival.info for the programme details.