AN annual literature festival, which is becoming established as a national event, will have a new venue this year.

Durham Literature Festival, which this year is called Voices, will be held at the Gala Theatre, Durham, where a variety of events will be brought under the same roof for the first time.

Since Durham City Arts took it over six years ago, making its promotion more secure, it has gone from strength to strength.

This year's festival, from June 29 to July 13, will include contributions from Germaine Greer, John Mortimer, and poets Simon Armitage and Gregory Woods.

It will also feature The Murder Squad, a group of top contemporary crime writers; Shakers and Movers, artists who promote racial awareness; and North-East writers Chaz Brenchley, Peter Mortimer and Neil Astley.

Alison Lister, festival co-ordinator, said: "Box office income has risen steadily, and between 1999 and 2001, audience numbers have virtually tripled.

"The festival today is fiercely ambitious, and every writer appearing at Durham has something to say, is dedicated to their craft, and is eager to talk to fans and critics alike."

To mark the festival's move to the Gala Theatre, banners and displays celebrating the events will be mounted outside, in Millennium Square.

A new Rising Voices programme, enabling people to hear work by some of the region's newest talents without having to pay, will be held in the theatre's foyer bar.

Jan Doherty, director of Durham City Arts, said: "With no central venue, there was no heart to the festival.

"We've always had to adapt, making the most of spaces that weren't designed for performances, and, for example, were quite often unsuitable for anyone who was a wheelchair user.

"This year, the celebrations all take place in Millennium Square."