Dazzling line up at Henley's first literary festival

John Mortimer, Mike Atherton and Jeremy Paxman are just a few of the 100 authors that will be appearing in 60 events at the first Co-operative Bank Henley Literary Festival

Taking place on September 21 to September 23, the three-day celebration of the written word features a strong fiction, sporting and lifestyle element as well as ten events for the children.

Ranging from Trainspotting's Irvine Welsh to Julia Donaldson of Gruffalo fame, the range of writers covers every type of book from rock music to fly-fishing.

John Mortimer will be appearing twice, first on Friday 21 in the Kenton Theatre to his show, Words and Music and again on Saturday afternoon in conversation with the Daily Telegraph Theatre critic Charles Spencer. Jeremy Paxman will also be making a rare public appearance in his hometown.

Two former models are also in the line up. Sandra Howard, wife of the former conservative leader Michael Howard, whose second novel is published in the autumn and Marie Helvin, one of the original supermodels and ex-wife and muse of David Bailey, will be talking about her autobiography.

Clarissa Dickson Wright, one half of TV's much loved Two Fat Ladies will talk about her extraordinary life - her tyrannical father and how after being the youngest ever woman to be called to the Bar, she spent a decade of wild over-indulgence and partied away her huge fortune.

Satirist Craig Brown, described by Stephen Fry as the 'wittiest man in Britain', will be appearing on Sunday with actress Eleanor Bron at the Kenton Theatre, performing a parody of literary festivals.

Representing the world of sport will be Mike Atherton, Middlesex captain Ed Smith, Wisden editor Matthew Engel and football writer Patrick Barclay. Jim White will be talking about his new book You'll Win Nothing with Kids, a hilarious chronicle of his time as manager of his son's football team.

There is also a strong local contingent with around ten local authors appearing and Henley MP Boris Johnson leads a political line up which includes Richard Littlejohn, Peter Oborne and Martin Bell.

Paolo Hewitt will be discussing his friend Paul Weller and Mick Brown will act out his last interview with record producer Phil Spector.

Events will be held at a variety of venues in the town, the Town Hall, the Kenton Theatre, the River and Rowing Museum and the King's Barn.

Ticket prices have been kept deliberately low - between £3 and £8 with child prices for the children's events at £4.

For the full programme, event locations and ticket information please visit www.henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk