SOME of the literary world’s finest writers will be heading to Monmouth to take part in the annual Monmouth Literary Festival next week.

BRITAIN’s Poet Laureate, Dame Carol Ann Duffy, is to headline the festival and is due to perform with musician John Sampson at the Savoy Theatre on June 24.

She is joined on the festival’s programme by a host of top writers, musicians and entertainers, who will be appearing at venues across the town between June 22 and June 26.

The line-up also features award-winning author Owen Sheers and Old Monmothian Eddie Butler, best-selling writer and ex-Wales rugby captain.

The cultural event, now in its second year, has been organised by a voluntary committee of six teenagers from Monmouth School, Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls and Monmouth Comprehensive.

Having raised around £10,000 in sponsorship to make the festival possible, the pupils have arranged a timetable of public events as well as special readings and workshops just for children from local schools.

Committee member, Alice Reynolds, 17, from HMSG said: “I wasn’t involved in last year’s festival but had heard exciting things about it and was really interested in being a part of it.”

“I thought it would be a great opportunity to meet authors and take part in organising an event that would bring the three schools and the community closer together.

“This year there are evening events being held in community locations which will enable the town to share the festival with the schools.

“Due to the range of events and selection of exciting authors speaking this year, there will be something for everyone and all ages to enjoy.”

The programme this year is titled ‘Beyond the Book’ and will feature musicians, film composers, a slam poet and authors from all genres – including some very high profile names.

Events will take place at The Shire Hall, The Blake Theatre, The Punch House, school halls and marquees, during the day and in the evenings.

Amanda Poyner, head of sixth form at HMSG, said: “The pupils in all three schools have worked incredibly hard to ensure that this second literary festival builds on the inaugural year.

“From the start, the festival aimed to foster links between pupils of all schools in Monmouth, to improve learning outcomes and to encourage a love of reading and literature.

“It is a testament to the enthusiasm, creativity and positivity of everyone involved that we have an exciting and diverse programme of events planned.”

Tickets cost £5, concessions for under 18’s is £2.

For the full line-up of events and for ticket information, visit habs-monmouth.org and follow the festival’s Twitter feed @MonmouthLitFest