HEXHAM Book Festival returns this spring with a line-up including Jeremy Hardy, Penelope Lively, Ian Rankin, Tracy Chevalier and Kirsty Wark.

Writers, thinkers and speakers range from fearless explorer to crime writers, philosophers to foodies and feminists calling for male converts.

The event starts on April 24 and runs until May 8 with appearances by more than 50 authors.

Ian Rankin will talk about his latest Rebus novel and Kirsty Wark will discuss her first novel.

Hugh Pym, BBC economics correspondent, examines the banking crisis and C4’s Faisal Islam will look at the world’s economic meltdown. BBC R4 Tweet of The Day producer talks about the book inspired by the dawn chorus.

Susie Troup, director, said: “There’s fierce competition among book festivals round the country to attract the best authors and I’m glad that we’re so highly rated among publishers and best selling authors.“ Other headliners are Tracy Chevalier, Philippa Langley, Douglas Hurd and Emma Bridgewater.

The main venue is the Queen’s Hall but it the festival has grown so much that the events are also planned in Hexham Abbey, the Forum Cinema and a yurt in the abbey grounds.

In the abbey, Alison Weir will talk about Elizabeth of York: The First Tudor Queen, and Lindsey Davis introduces her latest detective novel set in Ancient Rome.

In Forum Cinema, writer Michael Chaplin explores the making of the movie The Invisible Woman with its producer Stewart Mackinnon and Headline Pictures chairman Adrian Gifford before a special screening of the film.

For radio listeners, News Quiz veteran Jeremy Hardy brings an evening of comedy while raconteur Henry “Blowers”

Blofeld, the English cricket commentator, waxes lyrical about his own life.

Scottish authors are prominent with Sally Magnusson, Bernard MacLaverty and Katharine Grant all joining the line-up along with award-winning crime writer Val McDermid discussing her version of Northanger Abbey with fellow novelist Fiona Shaw.

Ticket prices range from free to £14. Full programme and booking details are available at hexhambookfestival.co.uk.