ORGANISERS are hoping to build on last year's success as they prepare to launch the 2016 Dorchester Literary Festival.

An event is being held in July to mark the launch of town's second literary festival - which will run from Wednesday, October 19 to Sunday, October 23.

The festival was organised by Paul Atterbury and Janet Gleeson for the first time last year, after they decided that a town with Dorchester's literary heritage should have its own dedicated event.

The next chapter for the festival will see it expand to last longer and cover more venues.

Janet said: "We have a very exciting and varied line up, which builds on the festival's foundations established last year.

"There will be five days instead of three and more than 20 events - and a special day at Kingston Maurward focusing on country themes."

Headline speakers at the festival include Time Team presenter and former Blackadder star Tony Robinson, Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, Girl with a Pearl Earring author Tracy Chevalier talking about her latest novel and journalist Kate Adie.

Other visitors to the county town will include crime writer Anne Cleves, local author Damien Lewis, cookery writer Elizabeth Luard, former head of the British Army Richard Dannatt and Antiques Roadshow star Judith Miller.

There will also be an event for youngsters with children's author Rachel Bright a walk around Thomas Hardy's Fordington and Dorchester and much more on offer with further events still to be confirmed.

As well as Kingston Maurward, venues for this year's event will include Duke's gallery at its new premises by Brewery Square, the Victorian Gallery at the Dorset County Museum and Dorchester Library.

This year organisers are also teaming up with Dorchester Arts for a fringe poetry event featuring Roger McGough.

A number of the speakers as well as local dignitaries will be at the launch event at Duke's on Thursday, July 14 to signal the start of the countdown to the highly anticipated event.

Major sponsors have already been lined up in the form of BMW and county town auctioneers Duke’s.

The launch event is being sponsored by Humphries Kirk solicitors.

For more information about the festival visit dorchesterliteraryfestival.com

Anyone interested can also visit the festival’s Facebook page or follow @DorchLitFest on Twitter.

Tickets will be on sale from the end of August and will be available online or from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre.