TV personality, former Bake Off star and acclaimed writer Sandi Toksvig, OBE will officially open Farnham’s first literary festival on Saturday 5 March.

“We are very excited to have Sandi Toksvig at the opening event of the Farnham Literary Festival so please come and join us for the evening. Lots of people will know Sandi as the warm and funny presenter of the Great British Bake Off and BBC quiz show QI but she is also an acclaimed writer with over 20 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and children to her name,“ says Councillor Pat Evans, Lead Member for Tourism and Events. “Sandi is an established radio broadcaster, regular columnist and comedian so will no doubt bring both humour and interesting perspectives to the festival.”

The opening event takes place from 7 to 9.30pm at the Spire Church which is one of the many venues being used for the festival. Ms Toksvig will be joined by filmmaker and writer Jack Jewers and Sophie Hannah, an internationally bestselling crime fiction novelist. All three will share their experiences in the literary world and passion for bringing literature to ever wider and more diverse audiences.

To purchase tickets, visit www.farnhamliteraryfestival.co.uk where you can also find out more about the backgrounds, accomplishments and interests of Sophie Hannah, Jack Jewers and Sandi Toksvig.

The Farnham Literary Festival, which is organised by Farnham Town Council, runs from 5 to 13 March and features a rich and exciting mix of activities and events aimed at a wide local audience of all ages and interests. For details of the full programme, visit the festival’s website.