Poet Laureate Andrew Motion has described Ledbury Poetry Festival as the "best of its kind in the country".

The event, now in its sixth year, was launched yesterday (Thursday) by Mr Motion.

The poet is no stranger to the market town.

In 1999, just after his Laureateship was announced, Mr Motion held more than 300 people spellbound in the hall of the John Masefield High School, where his own poetry, his genuine concern about the blazing hot summer heat and his quiet, gentlemanly nature proved a winning combination.

This week, he returned, to open a new work of art at Ledbury's Community Hospital, with the words of poet Fiona Sampson incorporated into a new piece of textile art on a Ledbury theme, by local artist Angie Hughes.

It was a fittingly high-profile event for the festival, that has helped to put Ledbury on the national and world map.

Festival manager, Dr Charles Bennett said: "As usual, we offer you a rich and diverse selection of events, including the very best in contemporary poetry."

Here's what visitors to the festival can expect during the first week:

Today (Friday): Poetry on Show & Artistree, The Old Toy Museum, Church Lane, 10am-4pm each day; Robert Frost, New England, Old England, Hellens, Much Marcle, nr Ledbury, 11am-4pm; Caroline Bird, Burgage Hall, 4.45-5.45pm; Maurya Simon, Market Theatre, 6.30-7.30pm; First & Foremost, Burgage hall, 7.30-8.30pm; Heart to Heart with Jane Lapotaire, Eastnor Castle, 8-9.30pm; Poems & Pints with Philip Wells, Royal Hall, 9.30-11pm.

Tomorrow (Saturday): The Elizabeth Barrett Browning Walk, meet Ledbury Railway Station, 8.50am-12.30pm; Ragged Raven Reading (incl free anthology), Burgage hall, 9.30-10.30am; Kathleen Jamie & Carole Satyamurti, Market Theatre, 11.15am-12.30pm; James Fenton, Community hall, 1-2pm; Alan Brownjohn, Burgage hall, 2.45-3.45pm; Abana Music Workshop, West African Percussion & Chants, John Masefield High School, 3.30-5pm; Patience Agbabi, market Theatre, 4.30-5.30pm; Jonathan Dimbleby & Bel Mooney, Community Hall, 6.15-7.15pm; The Famous Free Town Party, High Street, 7pm till late.

Sunday (July 7): The Festival Service, Parish Church of St Michael's & All Angels, 9.30-11am; I See what I hear, Shell House Gallery, 10am-5pm; Talking Poetry: 1, Poetry on the Radio weaving words into the air, Burgage hall, 11.15am-12.15pm; Mimi Khalvati, Burgage Hall, 1-2pm; Edward Fox & Eileen Atkins, Don Juan by Lord Byron, Market Theatre, 2.15-4.15pm; Dannie Abse & Joanne Limburg, Burgage hall, 2.45-3.45pm; Matthew Sweeney's Prize-giving Party, Abbey House, 4.30-5.30pm; David Hart, Burgage hall, 6.15-7.15pm; Edward Fox & Eileen Atkins, Don Juan by Lord Byron, Market Theatre, 8-10pm.

Monday (July 8): Poetry at a Glance, Shop windows all over Ledbury; John Siddique at John Masefield High School; One on One with Matthew Sweeney, Pink Room, Festival Office, 10.30am-12.30pm; Poetry Workshop with Matthew Sweeney, Royal Hall, 2-4pm; Black Sheep Poetry Cabaret, Playing Faust & Louche, Royal Hall, 7.30-9.30pm; The Ledbury Scribes, Black Pepper Carvery, 8-10pm.

Tuesday (July 9): One on One with Matthew Sweeney, Pink Room, Festival Office, 10.30am-12.30pm; Poetry Workshop with Matthew Sweeney, Royal Hall, 2-4pm; For Better for Verse, Poetry Workshop, Royal Hall, 4.30-6.30pm; For Better for Verse, Open Reading, Royal Hall, 8-10pm; Talking Poetry: 2, Philip Larkin with James Booth, Market Theatre, 8-9.30pm.

Wednesday (July 10): Life Lines Workshop, venues around Ledbury; One on One with Matthew Sweeney, Pink Room, Festival Office, 10.30am-12.30pm; Out Loud, John Masefield High School, 2-3pm; Poetry Workshop with Matthew Sweeney, Royal Hall, 2-4pm; Talking Poetry: 3, Sylvia Plath with Tim Kendall, Market Theatre, 7.30-8.30pm; The Ledbury Lyricists, Prince of Wales, 8-11pm; Black Sheep Poetry Cabaret, Playing Faust & Louche, Royal Hall, 9.30-11pm.

Thursday (July 12): One on One with Matthew Sweeney, Pink Room, Festival Office, 10.30am-12.30pm; Poetry Workshop with Matthew Sweeney, Royal Hall, 2-4pm; Poetry: The Muse or the Market Place?, Burgage Hall, 6.15-7.15pm; UP & Running with John Siddique, The Royal Hall, 8-9.30pm; UA Fanthorpe, Market Theatre, 8-9pm.

Friday (July 12): One on One with Matthew Sweeney, Pink Room, Festival Office, 10.30am-12.30pm; Poetry Workshop with Matthew Sweeney, Royal Hall, 2-4pm; George Szirtes, Burgage Hall, 4.45-5.45pm; Robin Robertson & Colette Bryce, Market Theatre, 6.30-7.30pm; Matthew Sweeney, Community Hall, 8-9pm; East meets West, Der-shin Hwang, Hellens, Much Marcle, nr Ledbury, 8-10pm; Poems & Pints with Philip Wells, Royal Hall, 9.30-11pm.