VETERAN broadcaster and novelist Melvyn Bragg will be appearing as a headline guest at this year’s Scarborough book festival on Friday, April 15.

Books By The Beach co-directors Heather French and Peter Guttridge said they were delighted Melvyn has agreed to take part in the annual event at the Spa Theatre, in Scarborough.

Peter, who as chairman at other book festivals has shared the stage with Melvyn, said: "This event will be about Melvyn Bragg the author. He has done such an extraordinary job championing culture over the years - particularly on television’s The South Bank Show and BBC Radio’s In Our Time, but also in the House of Lords since his ennoblement in 1998 – that his novel writing has often been overlooked."

The full festival programme will be announced at the end of this month.

Heather said: "I’m thrilled that Melvyn Bragg is heading across the 'border' from Cumbria to Yorkshire for this event. He is one of the authors I have wanted at the festival since we launched it.

"Last summer, after I saw the BBC documentary, Wigton to Westminster, I was determined to get him for Scarborough. And he said ‘Yes’."

Heather added: "To say we’re excited about it would be an understatement. Ordinarily I would say Melvyn Bragg would be the icing on our cake – but this year we have a big cake and a lot of icing."

To book, phone the box office on 01723 821888 or go to scarboroughspa.co.uk