TICKETS are now on sale for a popular celebration of books in Dorset.

Dorchester Literary Festival returns for its ninth year this October.

Between October 14 and 21 the county town will play host to some top writers, including Victoria Hislop, Cathy Rentzenbrink and Damien Lewis.

There will also be some familiar faces from the small screen at the festival. 

Television presenter Julia Bradbury will discuss her part self-help and part memoir Walk Yourself Happy, while former BBC Breakfast presenter Louise Minchin, who went from presenting to competing in triathlons, will share tales from her book Fearless - Adventures with Extraordinary Women.

Catch Alan Titchmarsh talking about his new book on Chatsworth House and gardens, BBC broadcaster James Naughtie discussing his Desert Island Books, Ray Mears in conversation on his book British Woodland and journalist Robert Peston on his novel The Crash.

The festival is organised by Janet Gleeson and Paul Atterbury, who are both writers themselves and started the festival with the aim of giving book lovers the opportunity to hear stimulating talks and discussions by leading authors in a relaxed and beautiful setting. 

They said: "We’ve confirmed some brilliant writers for this year’s festival.

"The aim, as ever, is to invite leading writers and thinkers for people to enjoy in the relaxed and beautiful setting of Dorset’s county town, creating a diverse programme to entertain, inspire and enlighten you.

"We hope there are lots of events here to tempt you to come."

The festival will also feature Dorset writers including John Wright talking about his nature book The Observant Walker and Joanna Quinn discussing her successful debut novel The Whalebone Theatre, a coming-of-age story set in the shadow of an oncoming war.

This year Dorchester Literary Festival will be supporting charity Weldmar Hospicecare, which provides end of life care for adults with a life limiting illness.

Tickets are £12 or £6 for students and are on sale now.

Become a Friend of the Dorchester Literary Festival to buy tickets from 14th August at a discounted rate.

Go to dorchesterliteraryfestival.com/product-category/festival-friends/ to become a friend and go to dorchesterliteraryfestival.com/ for more information.