Organisers of the 13th annual Wellington Literary Festival are looking for sponsors in a bid to attract top names to the event. Last year’s line-up included newsreader George Alagiah.

Councillor Pat Fairclough, new chairman of the festival working group, said no big names had been booked yet, but committee members were working hard to ensure this year’s event would be a success.

Councillor Fairclough said: “We want to ask local businesses and organisations to sponsor us to allow us to get the same calibre of speakers we have had in previous years.”

Last year’s festival attracted more than 3,000 visitors and as well as BBC newsreader Mr Alagiah speakers included Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author Louis de Bernieres and football legend Ian Rush.

So far, bookings for this year’s festival include Clare Mulley, author of The Woman Who Saved the Children, a biography of Eglantyne Jebb, from Ellesmere, who played a major part in the establishment of the charity Save The Children.

Poet and performer Lance Pierson is also booked for the festival, as well as Thomas Telford expert Richard Bifield.

Regular supporters of the festival including, The Belfry Theatre’s drama group and Churches Together, will also be organising events.

At a meeting of the working group yesterday, Councillor Fairclough urged community groups who would like to run an event at the festival to get in touch on (01952) 417633.

The festival will take place during the first three weeks in October.