A NEW tradition may have been born after a trial summer nature writing day organised by the Marlborough Litfest on Saturday proved to be a big success.

Nearly 200 people poured into the White Horse Bookshop from 10am-5pm to listen to a host of authors speak about their work and nature writing for the inaugural edition of Litfest Goes Wild.

Attendees had the pleasure of listening to Fiona Reynolds, who promoted her book The Fight for Beauty, John Lewis-Stempel, who won the 2015 Wainwright Prize for nature and travel writing, Rosy Hardy, who has won many gold medals at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Palace flower shows and Simon Cooper, who appeared at last year’s Litfest.

Kay Newman of Marlborough LitFest said: "For a first attempt it was a wonderful success and perhaps this is the start of something very special. If we can make this a permanent fixture that would be superb.

"The authors have already spoken to me thanking us for putting this on and some are keen on coming back again. It is such a great and intimate venue that gives the audience and the author a chance to really connect with one another.

"There was a wonderful atmosphere and everyone really enjoyed it. Some of the talks were just fascinating but what was great was that as they were so different, they complimented each other so well. I want to thank our lead sponsor Brewin Dolphin for their huge help in putting this on."

The event was set up due to the increased interest in nature writing over the last couple of years from the Litfest.