ALTHOUGH some of the biggest names at this weekend's Marlborough LitFest events are already a sell-out, organisers say there are still plenty of tickets left for many events, and are hoping the packed programme will be a hit with visitors.

The Litfest will be starting tomorrow and will carry on through the weekend to Sunday. This year will mark the seventh year of the popular event, which has grown year on year.

Jan Williamson, chairman of the Litfest committee, speaking on Wednesday, said: “It is really exciting now we are so close. This year’s schedule is fantastic. We have some big names, but we also have a lot of fun and interesting events over the weekend. This is probably the strongest line-up we have ever had.

“We have sold all of Michael Morpurgo’s tickets, Simon Russell Beale’s, Libanus Press tickets and we are nearly sold out for Simon Cooper’s tickets and Andrew Lownie. There will be tickets on the doors to events that don’t sell out but I would recommend buying them beforehand.

"Two authors whose tickets have sold very well are Tom Bowler and James Naughtie. There are still a couple left for Lionel Shriver. I think the Big Town Read is going to be very popular because I always see people buying Elizabeth Buchan’s book in the White Horse,” added Mrs Williamson.

The festival opens with the children’s events on Friday such as the under-fives storytelling and talks for primary school children.

“We start setting up on Thursday and then the children’s events follow on the next day. It does feel very good now we are so close to the LitFest. It is a very good feeling to have so many events sell out so quickly, and people are keen to get tickets for the big events,” Mrs Williamson said.

The under-fives storytelling, where librarian Carol Moylan will read popular children's books including The Gruffalo and Where's My Teddy, will be taking place at the library in Marlborough High Street on Friday from 11am. There is a second session in the White Horse Bookshop in the High Street on Saturday, when Teresa Masterson will read Beatrix Potter's children's classics from 10.30am. Both events are free to attend without a ticket.