DIARMUID Gavin is among the stars of the writing world to feature at the Wantage Literary Festival, which continues this week.

The television garden designer was in conversation with local author and journalist Clover Stroud at the Beacon on Saturday.

Highlights of this year’s festival also include a show from comedian Miles Jupp at the Beacon on Saturday, a conversation with author Keggie Carew on Sunday and a talk by BBC presenter Louise Minchin tomorrow.

Speaking ahead of the festival’s start, director Vicki Luker (pictured, centre right), hailed this year’s ‘amazing line up’, which also includes talks from Max Hastings on Saturday and Sir Oliver Letwin MP tomorrow and sing-a-long with Nick Cope on Saturday.

Today sees a Roald Dahl activity day at the Vale and Downland Museum and ghost walk through town in the evening.

A number of events for an educational outreach programme, organised by Jayne Snewin (pictured, left), took place ahead of the week-long festival.

Some tickets are discounted for children, via the festival desk in the Beacon.

For more information and tickets, visit wantageliteraryfestival.co.uk