THE 11th Swindon Festival of Literature gets under way on May 1, its first event, as ever, being Dawn Chorus in Lawn Woods where early birds gather to celebrate May Day with songs, dancing, stories, magical acts and morning mischief - with coffee and butties for good measure. Be there by 5.30am if you don't want to miss the best of the fun.

Later in the day the Dawn Chorus performers will be visiting hospitals, homes and hostels, thanks to the generosity of the Festival supporters.

Then the rest of the Festival whirls into action with appearances by such names as Benjamin Zephaniah, Clive James and Mark Haddon, whose prize winning novel, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, is set in Swindon.

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC talks on Just Law, Simon Jenkins on England's Best Houses, Humphrey Carpenter on Spike Milligan, Jonathan Porritt on sustainable developments, Bob Flowerdew on good gardening, good growing and life and Tony Benn on his particular brand of politics.

There are talks on subjects as diverse as art, poetry, therapy, climate and crop circles.

There's a Children and Families Day at Lower Shaw Farm, a poetry Slam with the inimitable Marcus Moore, a children's play and two events for schools and teachers.

All this and much, much more between May 1 and 15, at the Arts Centre (01793 614837), the Museum and Art Gallery (466556), the Wyvern Theatre (524481), West Swindon Library (465555), Swindon College 614837), the Town Hall (463210) and Lydiard House (770401).

Tickets can be booked at the various venues. For general Festival information telephone 01793 771080.