HUNDREDS of book lovers headed to Hawkesbury Upton on Saturday, for the village's fourth annual literature festival.

Readers of all ages enjoyed a day-long programme of free talks, readings, and workshops, featuring 50 authors.

The event was opened by Gloucestershire author Caroline Sanderson, associate editor of The Bookseller magazine, and directed by Hawkesbury resident and festival founder Debbie Young, author of the Sophie Sayers Village Mystery series.

For the first time, Hawkesbury Primary School served as festival hub, providing a venue for talks, readings, workshops, and the children’s Bookworm tent.

A new festival outreach programme sent three poets next door to the school, to read to the elderly residents of Beaufort House.

The residents have produced their own little book called Dignity for All, which was presented to festival guests.

Another first this year was an exhibition of art and calligraphy by the festival’s authors and friends, staged in Hawkesbury Methodist Chapel.

As well as attracting visitors from close to home, the festival also appealed to speakers and guests from further afield. One visitor, Serene Conneeley, had travelled from Australia, planning her three-week trip to England around the event.

Festival director Debbie Young said: “Each year we try to make the festival bigger and better, while keeping it free to attend and therefore socially inclusive.

“Next year, we’ll be branching out further, and giving the festival an international flavour.

“Anyone interested in sponsoring the 2019 festival is warmly invited to contact us online via hulitfest.com.”

Next year’s festival will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2019.