VISITORS from around the world are heading for the Thomas Hardy conference and festival in Dorchester.

Organisers have bookings from countries including Japan, Russia, Italy and America but stress that events are open to all.

Former poet laureate Sir Andrew Motion will be the opening speaker after a festival launch at the Thomas Hardye School on Saturday, July 24.

Society secretary Mike Nixon said: “We are delighted to have Sir Andrew Motion.

“It’s a rare opportunity for people in Dorchester and Dorset to hear him.

“His reading is open to everyone whether they members of the society or not, as are all of the events in the programme.

“We are very proud of the quality of speakers and lecturers we have, and it is looking like an action-packed programme. We have got some good people.”

He added: “Numbers are holding up.

“It is truly an international festival.

“It will also help the local economy. The festival brings people into the town, who stay in hotels and use restaurants, cafes, bars and shops.”

Sir Andrew will give a reading in the Thomas Hardye School theatre. It will include his latest collection of poems, The Cinder Path, as well as references to Hardy’s work.

There will also be a question and answer session, as well as a book signing. The 19th International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival, which counts the Dorset Echo among its sponsors, is from July 24 to August 1.

It marks the 170th anniversary of Hardy’s birth and will include more than 100 events.

They will include readings, lectures, walks, tours, concerts, day trips and drama.

Highlights include writer, broadcaster and Hardy biographer Claire Tomalin on Friday, July 30, at 9.15am and Costa Book of the Year winner Christopher Reid on Saturday, July 31. Poet Brian Patten will be at the United Church on Monday, July 26 at 8pm. He first burst onto the literary scene in the 1960s as one of the Liverpool poets alongside Adrian Henri and Roger McGough. All of the events are open to the public.

Free festival programmes are available in the Dorset Echo office in Antelope Walk and information is also at hardysociety.org Tickets for Sir Andrew Motion reading are £10 with £4 concessions for students. They are available on the door or beforehand from 01305 837331 and 01305 251501.