Greer to launch literary festival

Author Germaine Greer will open this year's Wellington Literary Festival.

The outspoken feminist - an acclaimed writer and regular TV arts pundit - will top the bill for the October festival's 11th outing.

She completes a programme already including top novelist Michael Dobbs, BBC presenter Libby Purves and the Shropshire Star's Shirley Tart.

Councillor Gary Davies, who chairs the festival organising committee, announced Greer's appearance at a meeting of Wellington Town Council last night.

"This is something which is quite exciting for Wellington and for the literary festival," he said.

"There is no doubt about it, this is something special."

He said of this year's festival: "All in all, this is a hell of a programme.

"It will be another great festival for Wellington and I am sure will bring literature fans in to the town."