JOHN HEGLEY is one of the leading wordsmiths in the Litfest 2012 line-up.

Running this week until Sunday, the grand celebration of poetry and prose at Lancaster includes words from the likes of comic poet John Hegley, and esteemed poets Gillian Clarke and Robert Crawford are among those featured in Saturday’s (October 20) packed All Day Poetry Shindig.

Meanwhile, the All Day Prose Shindig is on Sunday - with acclaimed authors such as Jo Baker and Zoe Lambert and including offerings from reader-involved publisher And Other Stories. Fans of Radio 4's Book at Bedtime may recognise Deborah Levy’s novel Swimming Home, also shortlisted for this year's Man Booker Prize. Deborah will be reading at the prose event.

On Sunday, October 21 (8pm) there is also powerful performance storytelling from Litfest favourite Dominic Kelly deftly interweaving myth, fairytale and biography in Crow.

There are also short fiction readings on Thursday, October 18 (6pm) by master short story writers David Constantine and Adam Marek and showing on Friday (6pm) is You Should’ve Seen Us, a poetry archive film with special poetic soundtrack courtesy of Paul Mills.

An inspiring and uplifting book launch will also be taking place on Thursday, at The Dukes (1pm) with writer and performer Rosie Garland. Rosie fought throat cancer in 2009 and Lancaster social entrepreneur Jane Binnion will be interviewing her about the experience.

Meanwhile, on Friday, October  19, at 1pm, the meeting room at Lancaster Library hosts Alan Halsey, billed as one of the world’s leading experts on 19th Century poet and dramatist Thomas Lovell Beddoes.

An Evening with John Hegley is on Saturday, October 20 (8.30pm) at The LICA Building, Lancaster University.

This all-new collection by the poet, comedian and performer, described by many as the Spike Milligan of our time, brings together poetry, prose and drawings on the themes closest to his heart: from painting, France and family, to daleks, wheelbarrows, bus drivers and - potatoes. These pieces are by turns funny, moving, thought-provoking - and always brilliantly original.

Writer and performer John - who has so far penned ten books - was discovered in 1983 by John Peel as part of the band The Popticians.

Most events will be taking place at The Dukes, the Lancaster University LICA building or Lancaster Library.

To book tickets visit www.dukes-lancaster.org or call the main festival box office at The Dukes on 01524-598500.