TV and radio gardening pundit Bob Flowerdew is among the latest recruits to the 11th Swindon Festival of Literature.

Mr Flowerdew, a panelist on Gardeners' Question Time, is also one of the country's most highly respected organic gardeners, and author of books including Bob Flowerdew's Complete Fruit Book and Bob Flowerdew's Organic Bible. He is the latest in a roster of celebrities to agree to appear at this year's festival, which will run at a variety of venues across the town during the first two weeks of May.

The programme will be officially launched at Waterstone's bookshop in the Brunel Centre on March 18.

Festival director Matt Holland said: "Our aim, as ever, is to have something for everybody, and the festival is already looking to be one of the best ever."

Mr Flowerdew is scheduled to appear at the Arts Centre at a date yet to be formalised.

Other celebrities lined up to appear include veteran politician and scourge of the right Tony Benn, Mrs Doubtfire author Anne Fine, comic and author Sean Hughes, and novelist, poet and critic Clive James.

Mr Holland added: "The festival's profile grows each year as it plays host to bigger names and attracts a larger following.

"At every level, it has become a fantastic celebration for Swindon of things well-written and things well-said."