THE build-up for Chagford's first ever literary festival is gathering pace with another run-up event in December.

The inaugural ChagWord festival will run from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 17, with the festival programme under continuing development. Among authors already booked to appear are Paula Byrne, Miriam Darlington, Jonathan Dimbleby, Chris Mullin and Malcolm Pryce.

The weekend will include a variety of workshops and other events, including a performance by LiTTLe MACHiNe, setting poetry to music. There will also be opportunities for community participation for all age groups, in particular at a 'Diary of a Day' event.

Festival organisers are planning a series of run-up events during the next few months to build excitement for the event. The December event is 'Evacuees' Stories', led by authors Iris Jones Simantel and Michael Henderson. Both were evacuated during the second world war, Iris aged five, to the Welsh countryside, and Michael aged eight, to the USA.

Iris' prize-winning 2012 memoir, Far from the East End, is a best seller, while Michael's account, See You After the Duration, received critical acclaim upon its publication in 2004. The two authors will discuss their books and experiences during the war. The event at Endecott House takes place on Thursday, December 13 from 7.30pm, with tickets costing £6.50 to include a glass of wine.

Visit http://www.chagword.com">www.chagword.com for tickets and more information.