SOME of the literary world's brightest stars will be making their way to Durham for its annual literature festival.

A whole range of book readings, workshops and performances are lined up for the five week event. It began on Sunday with a storytelling session at the banqueting room in Crook Hall in Durham.

Other highlights of the festival include a reading by contemporary author Patrick McCabe, at the Gala Theatre this Friday. The writer, who shot to fame with The Butcher Boy, will be sharing the stage with Tony White, author of the new novel Foxy-T.

A number of other celebrities are due to appear at the Gala Theatre. Comedian Alexei Sayle will be visiting on Sunday, October 4, to give a reading from his first novel Overtaken. On Monday, October 13, comic artist John Hegley, a regular on Radio 4 and author of eight volumes of verse, will appear.

Former Monty Python member, Terry Jones, will be giving a reading from his new book, Who Murdered Chaucer?, on Sunday, October 19.

There will be more than 30 events taking place at various venues throughout the city.

Alison Lister, of Durham City Arts, said: "The festival is beginning to get a bit of a national profile, which is what we're working towards."

For a full list of events, contact Durham Literature Festival at Byland Lodge, Hawthorn Terrace, Durham, on (0191) 301 8245.