One of the South West’s leading literary festivals – which began life in a tiny East Devon hamlet – is moving its centre of operations to a well-known Lyme Regis theatre this autumn in order to welcome the increasing numbers of people who wish to attend its events.

The Shute Literary Festival, which has taken place at Shute (population 150) since 2016, is moving its October line-up this year to the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis.

The festival, which has hosted a number of internationally-renowned authors over the years, will be staging a number of star-studded events between October 1 and 11, including talks with best-selling authors and concerts.

Speakers will include international lawyer, Philippe Sands, who will be talking about his newly-released book The Last Colony which focuses on the struggle of the Chagos islanders and their much publicised desire to return to their home.

Actress Maddy Anholt will be talking about her book How to Leave Your Psychopath; while Helen Rappaport will discuss her new book, In Search Of Mary Seacole: The Making Of A Cultural Icon.

Nino Strachey will also present her work on Young Bloomsbury: the generation that reimagined love, freedom and self-expression.

“The festival offers a diverse programme of events on ideas and places near and far,” says co-director Samantha Knights.

"Sir Ghillean Prance, the world-renowned botanist and Amazonian explorer, will be discussing his latest book on the Amazonian Forest and its People.

"The campaigner Dan Gretton will introduce his book I You We Them on the ‘desk killers’ who have ordered and directed some of the worst atrocities of the modern era, from the capitals of empire to the offices of Nazi Germany, to the boardrooms of oil corporations today.

"Jo Seaman, the former British Council Director, will discuss Love and Revolution in Georgia – a country, like Ukraine, under the shadow of a Russian threat.”

She added that debut authors Jendella Benson and T. Orr Monro will be speaking on their new novels Hope and Glory (a family drama set in Peckham) and Breakneck Point – a CSI crime thriller set in North Devon. Louisa Adjoa Parker, another local author, and Davina Quinlivan, will speak on their experience of diversity in rural Britain.

Other South-West authors include Nicholas Jubber (winner of the Dolman Travel Book Award) and Lisa Schneidau, discussing their new books on the history of Folk Tales, and Graham Harvey, agricultural editor for BBC Radio 4’s The Archers.

This year’s Shute Festival will also present three concerts. The renowned Afghan music specialists John Baily and Veronica Doubleday will offer a concert of music from Afghanistan. Merlin and Polina Shepherd will be leading a workshop and concert of Yiddish and Klezmer Music. Local band The South Country will be presenting a concert exploring English Folk Tunes.

Ms Knights added: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with the Marine Theatre in Lyme Regis, a beautiful and historic venue on the Jurassic coast, and it will be a great home for our autumn festival.”

Full details of all events and speakers can be found at http://www.shutefest.org.uk