The name's Bookfest. Wimbledon Bookfest. And it is coming to a venue near you this October.

Ab Fab star June Whitfield strikes a pose with Tony Kane, chairman of Wimbledon Bookfest 2008, which was launched last week at a champagne reception at Drake House, St George's Road.

Following the success of last year's inaugural festival, this year's Bookfest promises an even bigger roster of A-list authors for talks, walks and reader-friendly events across the borough of Merton.

The week-long celebration of literature will have a special 007 flavour to coincide with the centenary of author Ian Fleming's birth and the publication of Sebastian Faulks' new Bond novel.

And for the first time, the Bookfest will coincide with Polka Theatre's annual festival of children's and teenage fiction, The Word.

Wimbledon Bookfest runs from October 4-12, 2008. For more details see wimbledonbookfest.org