BIG names in the literary world will be in Marlborough in September but organisers say they could not continue to bring the likes of Ian Rankin and Robert Harris to town without the support of its sponsors.

On Monday lead sponsor Brewin Dolphin handed over a cheque for £55,000 to symbolise the total it has donated since Marlborough LitFest was launched in 2010.

A spokesman said: “Marlborough LitFest is delighted to celebrate its 10th year in 2019 alongside its lead sponsor, Brewin Dolphin, which has supported the festival from the very start.

“The investment management company has generously donated the total sum of £55,000 to Marlborough LitFest since 2010, which has enabled LitFest to bring a range of authors, literature events and outreach programmes to the town over the past 10 years.”

The festival committee is made up of volunteers who work to bring the star studied writers to Marlborough each year.

The year’s festival which runs from September 26 to 29 will also include appearances by Joanne Harris, Ben Okri and Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

A spokesman said: “LitFest relies solely on its sponsors for financial backing and the festival committee is made up of volunteers who give up their time throughout the year and during the festival weekend in September.

“The festival could not have got started in 2010 without the initial financial donation from Brewin Dolphin and is grateful for its continued support.”

One of the aims of Marlborough LitFest has been to bring literature to the town and inspire and engage audiences of all ages.

It has built up a number of community outreach events in the past 10 years including the annual primary schools workshops at the Town Hall which sees nearly 200 local primary school children interact with a chosen children’s author.

The annual Big School Read is hosted each year by St John’s Academy, with local secondary schools attending an author workshop and the annual Big Town Read, where local reading groups are encouraged to read a chosen book before an author questions and answer at LitFest.

Kay Newman of Marlborough LitFest, said: “It’s been great to work with Brewin Dolphin over the past 10 years and we hope this partnership can continue. As Marlborough LitFest is a charity, support from local organisations and individuals is really important to us.”

Myles Palmer, Divisional Director at Brewin Dolphin said: "As an office, we believe it is very important to be involved in local activities and we are delighted to have supported the efforts of the Marlborough LitFest since it started 10 years ago.

"The festival has been a great success and the Committee always feature a fantastic line-up of brilliant authors. Over the years, the festival has grown in popularity and is now a highlight in people’s diaries as one of the best events here in Marlborough.”  

The Box Office opens in early July; for more information, visit www.marlboroughlitfest.org