A BAFTA award-winning English television scriptwriter will be taking centre stage at a Cheshire village’s first arts and literature festival.

TV dramatist Jimmy McGovern and other well-known authors, poets and musicians will be descending on Malpas and its surrounding area for a four-day extravaganza of entertainment and culture this summer.

Festival organisers in Malpas, Hampton and Tushingham have been working hard to secure an impressive line-up to suit all ages for the event, which kicks off on Thursday, May 19.

Its official opening will feature a special appearance at the performing arts venue at Broomy Bank, Hampton, by Jimmy McGovern, best known recently for his gripping and controversial BBC series Accused.

The performing arts venue will also hold premier performances of the musical Saffron and Green, written by former Brookside writer John Oakwood and Keith Hopwood, a member of 1960s band 'Herman's Hermits.

Music lovers will be treated to an evening of classical music, with a unique performance by the president of the Chopin Society, pianist Rose Cholmondeley, and her colleague Charles Grant, in St Oswald’s Church, Malpas.

Acclaimed authors Saul David and Adam Williams are just some of the literary talent making appearances at the festival, which runs from May 19-22.

A short story competition will be open to three different age groups and a free creative workshop will be held on the Sunday, giving aspiring writers the chance to write poetry and for TV and radio.

Also unmissable will be the three-night production of Larkton to Cuddington, with a local cast.

For further details of the festival and a list of prices, visit www. malfest.com. If you are interested in auditioning for Larkton to Cuddington, email magsabroad@yahoo.co.uk.