YOUNGSTERS from all over the area will find something to interest them at this year's Marlborough Litfest, as the organisers have added some extra special events for the younger audiences to the festival, which runs from September 30-October 2, hoping to add more variety to keep younger readers entertained.

They include a talk by Michael Morpurgo, the former Children's Laureate, whose books for children have also found an adult audience, particularly his stories about events in World War 1 like War Horse and Private Peaceful.

As well as talks by authors and the Big Town Read, the Litfest committee has organised a number of free events for families with younger children to attend throughout the festival, as well as events at schools.

They include free under-fives storytelling sessions at Marlborough library in the High Street on September 30 at 11am and October 1 at 10.30am.

“We are inviting children and their parents along to the library where Teresa Masterson will be hosting two sessions for everyone to come along to and enjoy. Then of course we have Michael Morpurgo, on October 2, but his tickets are selling quickly so I would recommend people booking as soon as possible,” said Litfest chairman Jan Williamson.

“We have also got some free events taking place at St John’s and in the town. We have children’s author Abi Elphinstone, she is the author of books for nine-12-year-olds, like Dream Snatcher and Shadow Keeper. She is going to talk to children we have invited from local primary schools, there will be at least 100 children so it is quite a big event. Teachers will come with the Year 5 and 6 pupils so it will be a great event.”

The Big School Read will also be inviting children to take part in a question and answer session with author Sally Nicholls.

“Sally Nicholls will be talking about her book An Island of Our Own to pupils from the local secondary schools. I believe St Francis and Pewsey Vale have been invited as well as the St John’s pupils. The book is available from the White Horse Bookshop, so hopefully some of them will have read it,” added Mrs Williamson.

Tickets for all events including the talks aimed at adults are selling quickly: for full details of events and tickets see are www.marlboroughlitfest.org or call in at the White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough High Street.