SUPERMODEL Jerry Hall and novelist Jilly Cooper are set to be sell-out crowd pleasers at this year's Ledbury Poetry Festival.

After months of negotiations, both high-profile stars signed for this summer's festival just days before the programme went to press.

Festival director Chloe Garner said that Jerry Hall revealed her love of poetry and that she writes her own verse in a column in the Independent.

Now Miss Hall, who used to date Rolling Stone lead singer Mick Jagger, has agreed to appear in Led-bury, much to the delight of Ms Garner, who is a huge admirer of the Texan.

She said: "She's a great and beautiful 50-year-old; a feisty single mum, forging ahead with her own career after Mick. She's quite inspiring."

One of Miss Hall's most recent successes was performing as Mrs Robinson in a Broadway production of The Graduate.

She will appear with Peter Florence, the actor and director of the Hay Festival, to discuss their favourite desert island poems.

The event will be held at John Masefield High School, Ledbury, from 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Friday, July 6. It is hoped that Miss Hall will recite some of her own poetry.

Jilly Cooper will also reveal her desert island poems in Ledbury's Community Hall, from 2pm on Sunday, July 1.

The best-selling author of The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous, Rivals, Polo and Wicked will reveal her love of celebrated poets including Matt-hew Arnold and Robert Frost. Ms Garner said: "This event is sure to throw up some surprises and there will be lots to interest, amuse and inspire the audience."

The programme will be published shortly. For more details call the box office on 0845 458 1743.