The organisers of Wimbledon Bookfest have promised to keep the community at the heart of the party, as the annual event grows in its third year.

Journalist Sir Max Hastings, chick lit author Penny Vincenzi and veteran actor Tim West have all been revealed as appearing at this year’s expanded festival.

More than 50 literary events are set to take place in venues across Merton from October 3 to 11. They include a screening of Slumdog Millionaire with its scriptwriter Simon Beaufoy, and a day of fun for children at the Polka Theatre.

Festival organiser Fiona Razvi said the line up offered something for everyone, with “a real focus on community involvement” and the huge line up and range of venues would make for a memorable celebration.

“The more intimate and appropriate the surroundings, the more people enjoy it,” she added.

Writers are set to appear in libraries across the borough, and novelists will appear in Wimbledon’s high street bookshops for the first time in the festival’s history.

The winner of a young writers’ competition currently running in Merton’s schools, and the winner of a scriptwriting contest for all ages, will also be announced.

The children’s event at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre will feature Roger McGough, Michelle Paver, Marcus Sedgwick and Caroline Lawrence.

A handful of events will mark 200 years since the birth of Charles Darwin - including an appearance by his great great granddaughter Ruth Padel, the poet who earlier this year was set to become professor of poetry at Oxford University until she was accused of dirty tricks against one of her rivals for the post.

Other highlights include Sir Peter Blake at the Wimbledon College of Art, a literary pub quiz at the Crooked Billet and an event on the life of tennis legend Fred Perry at the All England Club Museum.

Tickets for the event are set to go on sale in July - with advance sales available to Friends of the Festival’.

For more information visit wimbledonbookfest.org.

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