Duffy and Motion to attend Much Wenlock Poetry Festival

Carol Ann Duffy is the festival's founding patron

Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy will join a host of other writers at this year's Much Wenlock Poetry Festival.

Following the inaugural event last year, the organisers say they have an improved line-up including the former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion.

The event will take place on the streets and in the stores of Much Wenlock, from 29 April to 1 May.

The 2011 festival will also include John Hegley, Jo Shapcott, Paul Evans, Simon Armitage.

Carol Ann Duffy is the festival's founding patron and national Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke and Sir Andrew Motion are also patrons of the event.

Anna Dreda, owner of Wenlock Books and founder of the festival, said: "We have a great festival in store, including poetry readings, performance poetry, poetry choir, poetry take-away, knitted poetry, poetry in art, poetry workshops, poetry for kids, street poetry and even a poetry cafe.

"We are confident that we have lived up to our aim of providing the very best of contemporary poetry in exciting and varied ways."