SOME of the world’s greatest thinkers and writers will be gracing stages around Swindon this spring at the Festival of Literature.

At the launch in the Central Library Courtyard this lunchtime war correspondent Kate Adie, children’s author Jacqueline Wilson and Strictly Come Dancing politician Ann Widdecombe were just some of the names highlighted in this year’s programme.

Now in its 21st year, the festival is taking a more sombre look at literature and asking more questions about what it means to read and write and what kind of lives we should be leaving.

Festival Director Matt Holland said: “Now that we are 21, we are meant to be properly grown up.

"This means that we can not only have fun but also be serious and idealistic about things that matter in our everyday lives.”