FORMER poet laureate Andrew Motion will open the Thomas Hardy festival in Dorchester tomorrow.

He will be speaking in the Thomas Hardye School theatre on the first night of the 19th international conference.

Delegates will register from noon onwards before a launch at the school, followed by Sir Andrew’s appearance.

His reading will include his latest collection of poems, The Cinder Path, as well as references to Hardy’s work.

There will be a question and answer session, as well as a book signing.

Visitors are heading from such countries as Japan, Russia, Italy and America for the 10-day festival as well as from Dorset.

Organisers from the Thomas Hardy Society stressed that the vast majority of events are open to all.

There are more than 100 events, from tomorrow to August 1, include readings, lectures, walks, tours, concerts, day trips and drama.

Free festival programmes are available in the Dorset Echo office in Antelope Walk and information is also at hardysociety.org