A WHOLE host of top names in modern literature have joined the ever-growing lineup for the eighth edition of the Marlborough LitFest.

Organisers have announced that BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner OBE, Man Booker Prize shortlister Graeme Macrae Burnet and spy writer Jon Stock will also feature in the hugely popular event from September 28 to October 1.

After securing the services of award-winning author Will Self to headline the festival, which will include around 30 events, back in January, festival programme coordinator Kay Newman is delighted more top class writing talent will appear at the LitFest.

"We cannot begin to express just how excited we are to have these wonderful writers appear at Marlborough LitFest this year," she said.

"All of the team were thrilled to secure these three, who we have been trying to have along for quite some time now. We are so chuffed about how we have grown over the years.

"Each year it becomes a little easier to attract bigger names as we get more well known. We have a reputation for focusing on getting good writers and nothing else and I think the people that make up the lineup each year really appreciate that.

"Also we love to give up and coming writers the chance to make their book festival debuts and with each festival we try to bring a different element for each year.

"None of this would be possible without our wonderful sponsors because without them we could not do what we do. We are all volunteers and none of us are paid. We just want to maintain and improve on this wonderful event.

"It is just so exciting and there is a lot more of it to come."

Last year more than 2,500 people poured into the town hall for a feast of writing, tales and poetry and they can expect more of the same when Mr Gardner talks about his latest fictional thriller, Ultimatum, for Mr Burnet's His Bloody Project and Mr Stock's new psychological thriller, Find Me.

"We are very excited about this year’s line-up. We have got some brand new authors and some very well-known ones," added festival chairman Jan Williamson.

The Litfest hosts an annual Golding speaker, which this year will be Mr Self, to highlight Marlborough’s long connection with the Nobel Laureate and Booker Prize winner, William Golding, at an event sponsored by the William Golding estate.

The festival will take place in the town hall, the Whitehorse Bookshop, High Street, and St Mary's Church Hall, just off the High Street.