Hitchin is set for its first literary festival this month, featuring more than 130 books and talks from popular authors.

The eagerly-awaited event is set to take place on Saturday, July 29, at the British Schools Museum in Queen Street.

The occasion, called Books, Beers and Banter, is billed as a one-day readers and writers’ extravaganza, with 20 talks and workshops from best-selling authors and a London literary agent.

The fair will make full use of the British Schools Museum site including an on-site beer tent, food stall and craft fair.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to speak with the authors and purchase signed books.

The event, starts at 12 noon and will be opened by the county’s High Sheriff Will Hobhouse,

Tickets are priced at £4 and allow access to all talks and workshops.

Offering a wide range of topics from how to retire young and rich, to how to hook an agent and how one man made his living from murder, it’s sure to attract a varied crowd.

Aspiring writers are also well catered for, with workshops and talks aimed at helping novice authors.

The full list of authors and discussion topics are available at britishschoolsmuseum.co.uk.