HUSBAND and wife TV duo Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, along with actors Sheila Hancock and Helen Lederer are just a few of the headline speakers in the line-up for this year's Chipping Norton Literary Festival.

All are renowned writers and each will be showcasing their latest books during the four-day festival in the town this spring.

Book club champions Richard and Judy will be talking to Julie Cohen, one of their own book club authors. Sheila Hancock will be introducing her debut novel, Miss Carter's War and Helen Lederer will present her new novel, Losing It. British thriller writer Lee Child will be talking about his books which have sold more than 90 million copies so far.

The festival, now in its fourth year, boasts more than 50 events for all ages. The authors will be speaking in a number of venues including the theatre, the town hall, the Methodist hall and the 16th century pub, The Chequers.

For crime lovers, visitors to the festival will be treated to talks by MC Beaton and international bestselling author SJ Watson, who will discuss his new novel, Second Life and showcase a film version of his debut thriller, Before I Go To Sleep. Fans of political writing will have the opportunity to hear from John Crace and Polly Toynbee, as well as Baroness Trumpington who will talk about her Sunday Times bestselling memoir, Coming Up Trumps.

The festival's line-up also includes The Times' chief sports correspondent Matt Dickinson, Matt Haig, author of The Humans and award-winning children's author Peter Horacek. Actor Tim Bentinck who plays David Archer in BBC Radio 4's much loved radio drama, The Archers, will also be appearing.

Comedy writer Jesse Armstrong and comedian and writer David Baddiel are also booked to appear.

As well as talks from authors, visitors will be treated to a varied programme of events over the course of the festival, including creative writing workshops, performance poetry and literary quiz. A free photography exhibition, Writers, Not Writing, commissioned from local photographer Jane Stillwell, will also offer a window into the lives of authors away from their desks. Children will also be well catered for at the festival with talks by renowned children’s authors, including John Dougherty, Tamsyn Murray and Joe Craig, as well as creative workshops and film animation workshops.

Festival director Clare Mackintosh said: “We offer a diverse programme of events visitors can enjoy in a beautiful Cotswolds setting. We’re now in the fourth year of the festival, which is going from strength to strength, and I’m delighted with this year’s line-up. We bring big names into intimate, local venues, which means that audiences benefit from an up-close and personal atmosphere.”

The literary festival runs from April 23 to 26. Tickets are now available from the website.

As well as talks from authors, visitors will be treated to a varied programme of events over the course of the festival, including creative writing workshops, performance poetry and literary quiz. A free photography exhibition, Writers, Not Writing, commissioned from local photographer Jane Stillwell, will also offer a window into the lives of authors away from their desks. Children will also be well-catered for at the festival with talks by renowned children’s authors, including John Dougherty, Tamsyn Murray and Joe Craig, as well as creative workshops and film animation workshops.

Festival Director, Clare Mackintosh comments, “We offer a diverse programme of events visitors can enjoy in a beautiful Cotswolds setting. We’re now in the fourth year of the festival, which is going from strength to strength, and I’m delighted with this year’s line-up. We bring big names into intimate, local venues, which means that audiences benefit from an up-close and personal atmosphere.”

Ticket information on the chiplitfest website.