LANCASTER Literature Festival 2011 opens on Friday, October 14, with another fine line-up of writers.

Running unil October 23, Litfest’s ten-day spree of poetry and prose includes Jon Ronson, author of The Men Who Stare at Goats, Lancaster novelist Carol Birch, short-listed for this year’s Man Booker prize, and leading Cumbrian writer Sarah Hall makes a welcome return. Hugh Lupton and Nick Hennessey will take their audience right to the heart of Sherwood Forest with the tales of Robin Hood, and Kendal author Gareth Thompson is among the wordsmiths talking about how far can you go writing fiction for children?

Box office 01524-582394.