BOOK lovers across the country have had plenty to enjoy during the city’s literary festival.

Best-selling authors, journalists and comedians have graced some of Oxford’s most iconic buildings to speak in front of huge crowds at soldout events during the nineday Oxford Literary Festival, which opened on Saturday.

More than 150 events are planned to entertain families before the final day on Sunday.

Festival special adviser Tony Byrne said: “It’s been a marvellous atmosphere, with very big audiences for major events. We have had marvellous feedback from people who have come from all over the UK and overseas.

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“We are looking forward to what we hope will be one of the most memorable festivals of all.”

Interior designer Nicky Haslam, who has worked for rock star Sir Mick Jagger and actor Rupert Everett, revealed the secrets behind his success at the Oxford Martin School.

And Jonathan Powell, former diplomat and chief of staff during Tony Blair’s premiership, spoke to a sold-out Corpus Christi College audience about terrorism.

Oxford Mail:

Diplomat Jonathan Powell. Picture: Damian Halliwell.

Yesterday evening actress Celia Imrie, who stars in movie The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, appeared at Broad Street’s Sheldonian Theatre.

The event saw Olivier Awardwinner Ms Imrie talk about her life on stage and screen, as well as introduce her debut novel Not Quite Nice.

English language expert David Crystal took to the stage at Corpus Christi College to unlock the mystery behind Shakespeare’s world of words.

Visitors have also been flocking to Blackwell’s Festival Marquee, where guests can buy books penned by festival speakers before sitting back and enjoying special events.

Blackwell’s deputy manager Zool Verjee, 39, said: “It’s been brilliant. It’s been very busy, lots of smiling faces and lots of book-buying.

“I think the festival is one of the high points in many people’s years. It’s something that people look forward to.”

Tickets can be booked online up to one hour before the start of an event or at Blackwell’s bookshop, in Broad Street, between 10am and 4.30pm.

The Oxford Mail’s sister paper The Oxford Times is this year’s official regional partner, with the Financial Times’s Weekend edition the event’s main sponsor.