LORNA MARSH Broadcaster George Alagiah will join Martin Amis, Pulitzer prize-winner Richard Ford and cult American novelist Jonathan Franzen in a diverse international line-up visiting Norwich for the UEA literary festival.

LORNA MARSH

Broadcaster George Alagiah will join Martin Amis, Pulitzer prize-winner Richard Ford and cult American novelist Jonathan Franzen in a diverse international line-up visiting Norwich for the UEA literary festival.

Rabbi Lionel Blue, South African author Christopher Hope and acclaimed novelists William Boyd and Margaret Drabble also feature in the this autumn's festival, which kicks off on Wednesday September 27 with Richard Ford, whose works include the the award-winning Independence Day.

Prof Chris Bigsby, head of UEA's School of American Studies and festival organiser, said: “This year's festival is remarkable for its true internationalism. We have two Americans, two writers born in Africa and some of the best of British talent. I am thrilled that UEA has yet again attracted writers of such standing.”

Jonathan Franzen, who received the National Book Award for the critically acclaimed The Corrections, visits on Wednesday October 4.

The following Wednesday sees the appearance of poet, playwright and author Christopher Hope, whose seven novels included Whitbread Prize winner Kruger's Alp.

On Wednesday October 18 Martin Amis makes a visit. The writer won the Somerset Maugham Award for his debut novel The Rachel Papers in 1973 and has since published eight novels including London Fields and Time's Arrow.

On Friday November 17 it is the turn of George Alagiah, presenter of the Six O'Clock News on BBC1 and former foreign correspondent, whose first book A Passage to Africa won a Madoc award.

Margaret Drabble visits on Wednesday November 22. Her novels include The Radiant Way and The Gates of Ivory and she is editor of the Oxford Companion to English Literature. On Wednesday November 29 William Boyd author of eight novels including several prize-winners appears.

Broadcaster Rabbi Lionel Blue makes his appearance on Wednesday December 6. He is best known for his contributions to Radio Four's Thought for the Day but is also the author of several books including his autobiography, Hitchhiking to Heaven.

t All events begin at 7pm in Lecture Theatre One at the UEA. Season tickets priced £35 (£30 concessions) and individual tickets priced £5 (no concessions) are available from the UEA Box Office on 01603 508050.