LEDBURY is about to be invaded by poetry enthusiasts from all over Britain and abroad, putting Herefordshire on the literary map.

The 5th Ledbury Poetry Festival is being launched at the Market House on Thursday (June 28) by the former Arts Minister, Lord Gowrie. It runs until July 8.

This year's event is the first under the stewardship of Dr Charles Bennett.

Some prominent names have been lined up, including the broadcaster and critic Clive James, a return visit by impressionist Alistair McGowan and poets Paul Muldoon, Frieda Hughes and Ruth Padel, the festival's poet-in-residence.

The festival is also a community event and first week highlights include creative writing workshops in John Masefield High School and ten primary schools. Children's artwork inspired by poetry can also be see in an exhibition at the Shell House Gallery.

There are a number of poetry workshops for people to develop their own work and a platform on which to read it at an open reading at the Royal Hall on Tuesday, July 3. The Ledbury Scribes will be showcasing local talent the previous evening at the Black Pepper Carvery.

Some events are already a sell-out, including Alistair McGowan, Clive James, the Dymock Poets' walk and a Friday workshop with Ruth Padel.

Diary - Week One

Thursday, June 28: Festival launch, Market House, 6-6.30pm; Paul Muldoon, Community Centre, 8pm.

Friday, June 29: Poetry workshop with Roz Goddard, Burgage Hall, 10am; Juliet Aykroyd reads poetry by Judith Viorst, Burgage Hall, 2pm; Al Alvarez reading and in conversation with Lord Gowrie, Burgage Hall, 4.15pm; Festival service and prizegiving, St Michael and All Angels' Church, 6pm; Clive James with Francine Stock, Community Centre, 8pm; Poems and Pints, Royal Hall, 9pm.

Saturday, June 30: John Masefield Walk, Ledbury Railway Station, 9.30am; Poetry workshop with Alicia Stubbersfield, Royal Hall, 10am; Reading from the Reactions anthology, Burgage Hall, Ledbury, 10am; Matthew Sweeney in conversation with Greta Stoddart, Market Theatre, 11.45am; WN Herbert and Nick Drake, Burgage Hall, 1.15pm; The Naughtiest Children I Know with Anne Harvey, Market Theatre, 2.45pm; Matthew Sweeney, Burgage Hall, 4.30pm; Alistair McGowan, Community Centre, 6.15pm; Town Party, High Street, 8pm.

Sunday, July 1: Poetry workshop with John Lindley, Royal Hall, 10am; Flarestock Poets, Burgage Hall, 11am; Rhyming Cutlets, Feathers Hotel, 12.30pm; Alicia Stubbersfield and Greta Stoddart, Burgage Hall, 12.45pm; Laurie Lee - the Well Loved Stranger by Valerie Grove, Market Theatre, 2.30pm; Simon Pitt, stories and poems for children over eight, Community Centre, 3pm; Graham Hartill and Fiona Sampson, Burgage Hall, 4.30pm; Screen Fever, Market Theatre, 6.15pm; Summoned by Bells, performed by Tim Heath, Community Centre, 8pm.

Monday, July 2: Poetry workshop with Ruth Padel, Royal Hall, 2pm; An Evening with the Ledbury Scribes, Black Pepper Carvery, 8pm.

Tuesday, July 3: I See What I Hear exhibition, Shell House Gallery, till July 8; Poetry workshop with Ruth Padel, Royal Hall, 2pm; For Better for Verse poetry workshop, Royal Hall 4.30pm; For Better for Verse open reading, Royal Hall, 8pm.

Wednesday, July 4: Poetry workshop with Ruth Padel, Royal Hall, 2pm; Ledbury Lyricists, Prince of Wales, 8.30pm; Blake on Blake, Market Theatre, 8pm.

Thursday, July 5: Poetry workshop with Ruth Padel, Royal Hall, 2pm; Publishing your poetry, Royal Hall, 5pm; Up and Running, Royal Hall, 8pm; Talking poetry with Ruth Padel, Burgage Hall, 8pm.