DURHAM's Literature Festival starts this weekend and brings a number of well-known and distinguished writers to the region over the next two weeks, including Dannie Abse, the celebrated reggae poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Germaine Greer.

It starts on Sunday, at the Gala Theatre (4pm) when local actor, Charlie Hardwick, reads from a new anthology published by Bloodaxe Books, Staying Alive, a magnificent collection of contemporary poetry.

Events continue on Tuesday, at Clayport Library (7.30) with 100 Days on Holy Island: a Writer's Exile, an account by Peter Mortimer of his self-imposed exile on Lindisfarne.

On Wednesday, at the same venue (7.30), thriller writer, Manda Scott, will talk about a switch in genre for her latest book, Boudicca, during conversation with Chaz Brenchley.

Waterstones on Thursday (7.30) sees an evening of gay poetry with Robert Hamberger and Gregory.

On Saturday, July 6, at the Gala Theatre (4pm), The Seven Deadly Sins will be a must for aficionados of the thriller and whodunnit, followed at 7.30 by a visit by Simon Armitage, whose poetry reading at the festival two years ago was a virtual sell-out and rapturously received. Jackie Kay, literary fellow at Northern Arts, prize-winning poet and novelist, shares the stage.

The following week brings sessions with contemporary fiction writers, Jed Mercurio, Louise and Luke Sutherland; readings by Durham-based writer Anne Stevenson and Helen Dunmore; an evening with award-winning poet Richard Caddel; a discussion on the contributions of Jewish poets to post-war British literature, with Julia Davis, Joanne Limburg and the Welsh poet and physician, Dannie Abse.

The charismatic Linton Kwesi Johnson tops the bill on July 10 at the Gala Theatre. Over the last two decades. his poetry has captured the turbulent politics of modern day Black Britain. He will read from Mi Revalueshanary Fren, his latest collection and a powerful critique on contemporary Britain.

Moniza Alvi, born in Pakistan and raised in Hertfordshire, who has been selected as one of Orange's 21 writers for the 21st century, reads from her work on July 11 at Clayport Library.

On Friday, July 12 (6.30) novelists Maggie O'Farrell, Stevie Davies and Geraldine Riley, share the stage at the Gala Theatre, followed at 9.30 by

The Real Macaws, a dance band whose brass and percussion base fuses Latin and African rhythms, and the Leeds-based poet, Rommi Smith, whose work is regularly broadcast on national radio and television.

The festival ends on Saturday, July 13, at the Gala Theatre, with An Evening With Germaine Greer. Frank, outspoken and an erudite scholar, she welcomes questions and will relish an informed exchange.

l Also taking part in the festival is the Darlington-based Vane Women group of writers whose latest publications are launched at the Gala Theatre next Friday (6.30).

As If is a the first collection of poetry by college lecturer, Jo Colley. Northern Grit combines photographs of the northern scene by Pat Maycroft with pieces of writing by members of the group.

A second launch takes place at Darlington Arts Centre on Wednesday, July 10 (7.30).