This year's Ledbury Poetry Festival looks set to break records with several events already sold out, including Jane Lapot-aire at Eastnor Castle.

But a handful of "last chance" tickets are still available for some of the celebrity events, including for the first performance of Don Juan by Edward Fox and Eileen Atkins, for Clive Anderson and Francine Stock and also for Jonathan Dimbleby and Bel Mooney.

Festival manager Charles Bennett, who said he wanted to see every single Ledbury resident at the free Town Party, added: "Things at the festival are really exciting, and I look forward to seeing a lot of new visitors, as well as old friends."

Dr Bennett pointed to the event's international theme this year and a golden opportunity to see some top performers.

There are still a few tickets available for mezzo-soprano Der-shin Hwang, who will perform at both Hellens and at Ledbury Parish Church.

Other top internationals will include Iranian-born Mimi Khalvati; the Australian bard John Kinsella and Boston University professor Christ-opher Ricks, who will be discussing Bob Dylan.

The booking hotline is 0845 458 1743.

Festival diary

Thursday, July 4: Andrew Motion, unveiling new artwork, new Ledbury Hospital, 4pm-4.30pm; Andrew Motion launches the 2002 festival, Market House, 6pm-7pm; Andrew Motion, Community Hall, 8pm-9pm.

Friday, July 5: Poetry on show and Artistree, The Old Toy Museum, Church Lane, 10am-4pm every day; Robert Frost, New England, Old England, Hellens, Much Marcle 11am-4pm; Caroline Bird, Burgage Hall, 4.45pm-5.45pm; Maurya Simon, Market Theatre, 6.30pm-7.30pm; First and Foremost, Burgage Hall, 7.30pm-8.30pm; Heart to Heart with Jane Lapotaire, Eastnor Castle, 8pm-9pm; Poems and pints with Philip Wells, Royal Hall, 9.30pm-11pm.

Diary continues next week.