Ronald Harwood, whose screen-play for the critically-acclaimed film The Diving Bell andB utterfly also earned him a Bafta, is patron of Havant Literary Festival which takes place later this month.

Mr Harwood will appear on Friday, September 26 at Havant Arts Centre where he will host a question-and-answer session following a screening of the 2007 film.

He is among a host of literary stars planning to visit Havant for the first event of its kind in the town. Two-time artistic director of Chichester Festival Theatre, Patrick Garland, will also appear in My Life in Theatre, on Saturday, September at the arts centre.

Poet Stephanie Norgate will perform at the Tongues and Grooves concert on the festival's opening night, Friday September 25. Her Hidden River has been short-listed for a Forward Best First Collection Poetry Prize.

Events will be held in pubs, community centres, arts centres and even on the streets.

The hugely popular open mic event for writers, WriteOnTheNight, travels from Sallyport, Old Portsmouth, to the Robin Hood pub on Saturday, September 27. It gives a chance for writers to prove that they can cut it live. There will be a choice of themes, 23 minutes' writing time and £3 per performance.

Whoever's story wins the anonymous vote, scoops the pot.

Havant Literary Festival takes place between 25 and 28 September.

>> For more, please visit havantlitfest.hampshire.org.uk