This year’s Essex Book Festival looks set to become the biggest yet, with more big names than ever before as well as some new venues.

As always, the Essex Library Service provides the backbone of the festival with the majority of the events taking place in libraries the length and breadth of the county.

Witham Library, in Newland Street, will have Dame Stella Rimington will talk about her very successful Liz Carlyle books and of life as the head of MI5.

She will be there from 7.45pm tomorrow, with tickets from £4.

Other major centres include Colchester, which will see appearances by the likes of Pam Ayres and John Hegley, and Chelmsford, where a number of well known writers such as television presenter Judy Finnigan and the UK’s most successful debut writer Jessie Burton, will be giving talks.

Ros Green, the festival’s new director, said: “The Essex Book Festival is now an important part of the county’s cultural calendar and this year is no different with a hundred plus writers and artists, 65 events taking place in more than 30 venues, which this year includes piers, trains and art galleries.”

Tickets are now on sale, most of which are available via the Mercury Theatre box office on 01206 573948.

For more information go on-line at www.essexbookfestival.org.uk