IF you missed the Oscars, don't worry because Gladiator and Chocolat are in Cheltenham later this month.

But before all you ladies start clambering for the phone in a bid to get close to Russell Crowe or Johnny Depp, it is the screenwriters who will be appearing, not the actors.

William Nicholson, screenwriter of Gladiator and Joanne Harris, the original writer of Chocolat, are both due to appear at the Cheltenham Festival of Literature Spring Weekend on April 22.

Also appearing at the festival, which begins on April 20, will be James Ellroy, author of American Tabloid and the critically-acclaimed LA Confidential.

Other famous authors lined up to appear include Sandi Toksvig, Will Self, Terry Waite and Daily Mail columnist Keith Waterhouse. For tickets and information, phone the box office on 01242 227979 or visit the website at www.cheltenhamfestivals.co.uk.